Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Ballarat & District in the Great War

Clambering across muddy ground in the dark, Arthur Bourchier was, in that moment, just one of thousands of men doing exactly the same thing up and down the trenches that marked the Western Front. The German artillery and machine-gunners, as always, were well aware of the new troops moving into the line opposite and actively peppered them, killing and maiming randomly. A sudden blast rang out and Arthur felt the impact knock his legs out from under him. As Arthur faded in and out of consciousness, no doubt his thoughts drifted homewards…

Arthur Patrick Bourchier was a Warrenheip boy – he was born there on 19 June 1896. He was the only son and second of two children born to Patrick Bourchier and Elizabeth “Bessie” Eggleton. The Bourchier family, which had generational links to County Galway in Ireland and a lengthy connection to Hobart in Tasmania, had become well-known after settling in the Warrenheip district. With his fair hair and earnest grey eyes, the newest member of the Bourchier family was soon to become a local favourite.

Both Arthur and his older sister, Anna, were educated at the Warrenheip State School. They were extremely bright children, and it was obvious that they were destined to achieve outstanding scholastic success. They also worshipped at St David’s, the small Anglican church in Warrenheip.

In February 1910, Arthur was transferred to the Humffray Street State School in Ballarat East to complete Grade IV. At the end of the year he sat for a scholarship examination, which he passed with ease. His achievement was announced in the newspapers in January 1912. From there he was enrolled at the Ballarat High School. It was said that he was ‘a boy of unassuming manner and was loved by both teachers and fellow students.’ His studies there during 1912 and 1913 culminated in him sitting for the Junior Public Examination, which he again passed easily.

Whilst Anna continued on to the Teacher’s Training College at the University of Melbourne and would eventually become a certificated teacher, Arthur began his career in Ballarat. As a junior teacher at Humffray Street State, he was soon to prove very popular with his young students.

Living in Ballarat also gave Arthur the opportunity to pursue his military training – so, he joined the ranks of the 70th Regiment, where he gained a valuable twelve months experience.

When Arthur enlisted in the AIF on 13 July 1915, he was just 19 years old. His parents agreed to his desire to serve King and country and they signed their consent, because he was legally underage, six days later.

His medical examination, which was conducted in Ballarat, showed that despite his lack of years, he had already developed into a well-built young man. He was 5-foot 7-inches tall and weighed 11½-stone; when asked to take a deep breath, Arthur could expand his chest to an impressive 37-inches. There was never any question that Arthur wouldn’t be passed fit – he was almost the perfect recruit.

On 2 August, Arthur marched into the Ballarat Showgrounds Camp, where he was initially assigned to A Company of the 14th Depot Battalion. After just two weeks in camp, he was promoted to the rank of corporal – a rank he maintained until he was attached to reinforcements to the 5th Infantry Battalion at Broadmeadows on 6 January 1916.

The intense recruitment drive of June-July 1915 had seen an impressive rush of young men to “join the colours.” Whilst most were quickly transported to the Front to reinforce the troops involved in the Gallipoli Campaign, it seems likely that Arthur was held back in Australia because of his youth. He finally embarked from Port Melbourne onboard HMAT Wiltshire on 7 March 1916.

During the voyage to Egypt, Arthur was once again singled out for responsibility and was appointed as an acting-corporal. He reverted to the ranks upon being transferred to the newly raised 58th Infantry Battalion on 20 April.

The 58th Battalion embarked for France on 17 June onboard the troop transport Transylvania, arriving in the port of Marseilles six days later.

Arthur saw his first action on the Western Front during the Battle of Fromelles. The 58th was designated as a support battalion for the battle, with the men involved in policing roads, carrying ammunition, and digging communication trenches across No Man’s Land after the attack commenced. Watching the carnage of the blackest day in Australian military history left a permanent mark on all who were involved.

On 22 November 1916, the 58th Battalion moved into Needle Trench in the Le Transloy area of the Flers sector to relieve the 60th Battalion. The men were at their most vulnerable as they were moving in and out of the frontline trenches – even under the cover of darkness. Arthur, who had been assigned to the Lewis gun section of the battalion, was about half a mile from the frontline when he was struck by a German whizz bang. Named for the sound it made, the whizz bang was much feared by the men because there was virtually no warning of the incoming shell. Arthur would not have known what hit him. With both legs broken, he was completely incapacitated. Lieutenant J. E. Tournour, and some of his men from the 59th Battalion, found Arthur lying out in the open. They dressed his wounds and carried him into what was described as a ‘bomb-proof dugout’ to await collection by the stretcher-bearers. Leaving to continue to their own designation, Tournour said they had only gone a short distance when a German shell made a direct hit on the dugout where Arthur was sheltered. The young school teacher from Warrenheip was killed instantly.

Tournour was one of the men who attended the burial of Arthur’s body in Sun-Ray Trench to the rear of Le Transloy. He also collected Arthur’s pay book and identity disc, which he handed to the 59th Battalion Headquarters. Unfortunately, this was to cause a delay in confirmation of Arthur’s fate. He was initially reported as wounded, but on 1 December this was altered to killed in action.

As fighting continued over the area battlefield graves were quickly lost. This was eventually the case for Arthur Bourchier, who became just another of the countless thousands who now have no known grave on the Western Front.

The planting of Ballarat’s Avenue of Honour inspired the Humffray Street State School community to commemorate their former student and teacher in a similar way. On 29 June 1917, Mr E. H. Price, manager of E. Lucas & Company, attended what was a truly solemn and touching occasion for all involved.

‘…Mr Price reminded those present that the tree now planted was a living monument to the brave teacher who had fallen. He hoped that the scholars would sacredly guard and tend the tree, thus adding to their respect for their late beloved teacher. This was one beautiful way of expressing their love and regard for the noble sacrifice the brave soldier had made…’

Arthur’s father assisted in the planting of a mountain ash at the entrance of the school grounds. The students sang a number of hymns, including O, God Our Help in Ages Past, and the Last Post was sounded. The children then filed passed the tree where they all placed white flowers. A tree guard with a plaque attached completed the commemoration.

On the first anniversary of Arthur’s death, a sad service was held in front of the Humffray Street State School. Teachers and students all stood with heads bowed alongside the tree. Gwen Richards and Marjorie Dermer, who had been taught by Arthur Bourchier, placed a wreath on the tree – next to one that had been left earlier by Patrick and Bessie Bourchier. The singing of a verse from the recessional hymn, Lest We Forget, added to the solemnity of the occasion. The haunting notes of the Last Post – a bugle call that would become all too familiar – concluded the service.

In December 1919 a formal “Welcome Home” was held in Warrenheip. Gold medals had been specially struck for the men who had returned – for the families of the men who had made the ultimate sacrifice, there were beautifully crafted illuminated addresses. Patrick Bourchier received the address on behalf of his wife, and their daughter, Anna.

In an interesting footnote, the following In Memoriam notice appeared in the Ballarat Courier:

BOUCHIER.- A tribute of love to my
dear friend, Pte Arthur Bourchier, kill-
ed in action 22nd November, 1916.
- Inserted by M. B.

As it appeared alongside a notice from the Braybrook family, of Warrenheip. Three sons, William, Laurence and Clarence, had been friends of Arthur Bourchier, it therefore raises the question was “M. B.” their sister, Mary Braybrook? Was she another of the young women who watched the men they loved march away to war, never to return? Perhaps we will never know….

‘…Outweighs a hundred empty years
One glorious hour, one noble deed;
He asked full life, O God, of Thee,
And Thou has given eternity…’