worst 24 hours in australian military history
TRANSCRIPT
JULY 21
remembrance ni
In 2000 the CWGC’s Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery was officially dedicated in a service attended by HRH The Prince of Wales.
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Worst 24 hours in Australian military history
JULY 21
The Battle of Fromelles fought on 19-20 July 1916 has been recognised as the worst 24 hours in Australian military history.
The cemetery contains 250 Australian and British soldiers who were all recovered in 2009 from several mass graves.
On this day - July 21
1916
Nationalists and the Ulster Division
The following editorial comment appeared in yesterday's " Freeman's Journal' .—
" 'There will be general agreement with the tribute paid to the soldiers of the Ulster Division by Mr. Skeffington a Nationalist councillor, at the meeting of the Dungannon Council. All Ireland is proud of the achievements of all her sons in the great struggle against the menace of the Huns. In France, as in Gallipoli, and Salonica, the valour of Irishmen, Orange and Green alike, is proving a valuable asset in the titanic conflict in which vital issues for national freedom and democratic progress are involved. The community of sentiment cemented by blood on so many battlefields will surely not be torn asunder at the behest of political intriguers. Mr. Skeffington’s generous, recognition of the work done by the Ulster Division was reciprocated by the Dungannon Council, which Incorporated in a resolution
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expressive of the council's admiration not only the Ulster Division but all the Irish regiments which, irrespective of creed or colour, have covered themselves with glory at every arena of activity.”
1917
The 36th (Ulster) Division received orders at their HQ at Esquelbecques. The 108th Brigade will relieve the 59th Brigade, 20th Div in Plougestreet sector. It's the first time the Division will go back into the trenches from the Battle of the Somme
1940
Czech government-in-exile established in London under Dr. Benes.
Hitler orders preliminary planning for invasion of Russia.
Romania forced by Germany to give Dobruja province to Bulgaria.
1941
FDR asks Congress to extend the draft.
US starts national aluminum salvage drive.
France accepts Japan’s demand for military control of Indochina.
In occupied Poland near Lublin, Majdanek concentration camp becomes operational.
Luftwaffe begins assault on Moscow with an air raid at night.Page 3
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Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania join the Soviet Union under duress.
1942
US losses since the war began are reported at 44,143 killed, wounded and missing.
The Kokoda Track campaign began when the Japanese landed at Buna and Gona, Papua New Guinea forcing the Australians into a four-month battle fought in appalling conditions. More than 600 Australians were killed and some 1680 wounded. Legends, all.
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1943
US destroyers Monaghan and Aylwin bombard Kiska in the Aleutians unopposed.
1944
Some of the German defenders of the Brody Pocket reach German lines.
Hitler gives permission to retreat from the Narva River to the Tannenberg defence line in the Sinimäed hills 20 km West from Narva.
At 1 a.m., Hitler gave a speech over the radio to prove to the German people that he was still alive. He declared that the conspirators would be “exterminated quite mercilessly
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Photo above - U.S. Marines land on Guam, establishing beach-heads up to a mile inland. Of the 18,000 Japanese soldiers dug in on the island, all but 400 will be killed in 20 days of heavy fighting. The island is back under US control by August 10, but snipers continue to attack long after the war ends. The last Japanese soldier on the island does not surrender until the 1970s.
Harry S. Truman was nominated to be President Roosevelt’s running mate at the Democratic National Convention.
1945
This day in 1945, British Berlin Victory Parade. Around 10,000 troops of the 7th Armoured Division 'Desert Rats'
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paraded under review by British Prime Minister Churchill and Field Marshal Montgomery.
Six truckloads of art stolen by the Nazis is returned to Florence, Italy.
Roll of Honour - July 21
Representing their comrades who died on this day
1915
+LYTTLE, Abraham RMLI. Private. PLY/17505. Plymouth Division. RND. Died 21/07/1915. Age 19. Enlisted 14/10/1896. RM Brigade 24/06/1915 - 21/07/1915. Born Ballymoney, Lurgan, 03/07/1896. Son of William and Hannah Lyttle, Ballynamoney, Lurgan. Lurgan, Helles Memorial, Turkey, Panel 2 - 7. Hill Street - PCI RH. ADM 159/161/17505
1916
+BRANNIGAN, Daniel1st Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Private. 22135. Died 21/07/1916. Aged 21. Private Daniel Brannigan arrived in the Balkans on 05/11/1915. He died in action at the Somme. Born 11/10/1894. He was one of ten children. Son of John and Bridget Brannigan, of Altanarva, Corbo, Clogher, Co.
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Tyrone. Knightsbridge Cemetery, Mesnil - Martinsart, Somme, France
Seasonal colour at the Anzin St Aubin Cemetery
1917
+ADAMS, J
Royal Irish Rifles, 9th Btn. Rifleman. 12/586. Died 21/06/1917. Aged 24. Son of James C. and Agnes Adams, of
Carncullagh, Dervock, Belfast. Derry House Cemetery No2.,West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
+CAMPBELL, HughRoyal Irish Rifles, 8th Btn.Sergeant.12650. Died 21/06/1917. He was a member of the East Belfast Regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force, and Holywood Loyal Orange Lodge No. 1906.Prior to enlistment he was chauffeur to Mr. Frank Workman, The Moat, Strandtown. His wife Mrs. Jeannie Campbell resided at 8 Lennox Terrance, Holywood. Menin Gate Memorial
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Memorial to those who fought at Guillemont and Ginchy and to all Irishmen who gave their lives in WW1
+CORKIN, Thomas Robert
Royal Irish Rifles,16th (Pioneer) Btn. Rifleman. 186. Died 21/06/1917Aged 23. Son of James and Rachel Corkin, of Ballygargin, Portadown.
Wytschaete Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
+MAGILL, Thomas
Royal Irish Fusiliers. Private. 9131. Died 21/06/1917. Age 19. Son of Roberrt John and Margaret Magill, 38 Hill St., Lurgan. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium
+McCALLUM, John
Royal Irish Rifles,8th Btn. Serjeant.12335. Died 21/06/1917. Aged 23. Son of Margaret McCallum, of 26, Peveril St.,
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Ormeau Rd., Belfast, and the late John McCallum. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
+MILLS, J
Royal Irish Rifles,16th (Pioneer) Btn. Rifleman. 888. Died 21/06/1917. Aged 20. Son of Margaret J. Mills, of 41, Majestic St., Belfast, and the late Henry Mills. Wytschaete Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
+WILSON, George
Royal Irish Rifles,16th (Pioneer) Btn.Serjeant. 668. Died 21/06/1917Aged 36. Son of Margaret Wilson; husband to Ellen Wilson, of 60, Hill St., Lurgan. Wytschaete Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
1940
+HANNA, William JohnRN. Able Seaman. C/JX 144129. Died 21/07/1940. Age 33. In HMS Phoenix which was sunk by the Italian torpedo boat Albatros on 16/07/1940. Seven years service in RN. Two brothers in merchant service. His father served throughout WW1 with RIR. Another son James was killed at sea through enemy action on July 11. (Belfast Weekly Telegraph 03/08/1940). Son of William John and Elizabeth Hanna, Taylor’s Rd., Carrickfergus. Chatham Naval Memorial, Panel 35
+WYLIE, William RAF. Sergeant. 541172. Died 21/07/1940. Aged 22. 144
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Sqdn. Son of William and Martha Wylie, of Belfast. Runnymede Memorial, Surrey
1941
+DALY, Robert
RAF. Leading Aircraftman.1066776. Died 21/07/1941. Aged 30 Son of Robert and Rachel Daly, Belfast. Llanbeblig Public Cemetery, Caernarfon
1944
+BALL, GEORGE HENRYRoyal Ulster Rifles, 2nd Btn. Rifleman. 7044397. Died 21/07/1944. Aged 25. Son of Thomas and Georgina Mary Ball, of Baddesley Ensor, Warwickshire; husband to Martha Ball, of Baddesley Ensor. Banneville - La - Campoagne War Cemetery, Calvados, France
+EVANS, David GeorgeRAFVR. Flight Lieutenant.149057. Died 21/071944.15 Sqdn. Husband to Ethel Evans, Belfast. Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Netherlands
+HOLMES, WILLIAM SAMUEL Royal Ulster Rifles, 2nd Btn. Lance Corporal. 7045707. Died 21/07/1944. Aged 29. Formerly Royal Irish Fusiliers. Son of William J. and Sarah K. Holmes; husband to Doris Ethel Holmes, of Kingsbury, Middlesex. Banneville - La - Campagne War Cemetery, Calvados, France
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+PLANT, George Royal Ulster Rifles. 2nd Btn. Rifleman. 7044475. Died 21/07/1944. Aged 24. Son of Charles and Mary Plant, of Exhall, Warwickshire; husband to Betty Margaret Plant, of Exhall. La Deliverande War Cemetery, Douvres, Calvados, France
1945
+MINGLE, John Joseph
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 2nd Btn. Fusilier. 6979960. Died 21/07/1945. Aged 24. Son of Daniel and Violet Mingle; husband to Mary Josephine Mingle, of Dungannon. Klagenfurt War Cemetery, Austria
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