WW1 Digger History Podcast

This is the introduction to my new podcast which aims to bring primary source material originally written by soldiers and other combatants in The Great War or World War One (WW1), if you prefer. These will be mostly the memoirs or diaries of Australians, at least at first, that is why it is called The WWI Digger Stories Podcast. The Australians fought in famous campaigns and battles like Gallipoli, The Somme, Ypres, Pozieres, Fromelles, Passchendaele and in the middle east at Gaza and Beersheba. They also served in less well known places like German New Guinea and at sea. Background material son the events described by the soldiers and biographical information on the individuals mentioned will be included. This is the intro redux recorded in January 2017, much improved over the early 2016. Phil Mannell

Just a brief update on what is in store for the podcast.

This is the first episode in a series presenting the memoirs written by Warwickshire born 21 year old Leonard Jones. Len describes his early life as a merchant seaman, his voyage to Australia and his brief life in Sydney, Wondai ans Temora before enlistment. He describes basic training and signalling training at Liverpool and Broadmeadows Camps, his embarkation, stay in Egypt and his own personal landing at Gallipoli.

In this episode, Len Jones describes life in the trenches at Gallipoli before the withdrawal and the Battalion's time in Egypt and on the Suez Canal. Len is sniped at and nearly blown up. He also just about bayonets a Brigadier General. He finishes with the trip to France and the "mob" landing at Marseilles. He introduces many of his cobbers and gives us some fine anecdotes particularly about the adjutant "Joe" Burrett.

"Righto Don Company, over you go". In this episode, Len takes your on a train trip through 1916 France, then into the trenches of the Western Front for the first time. We here about life in the trenches near Fromelles before the famous battle and anecdotes about the Aussie digger mates he has made. Len takes us through the rear areas of The Somme and into the jump off trench near Pozieres. He then leaves us with a cliff hanger as he rushes from the trenches.

This is it, the Battle of Pozieres. Len describes the taking of this infamous French Village between the 22nd and 27th of July 1916. Toc Oates had a premonition of death at Gallipoli. Now you can see what happens! But, Len loses several mates at Pozieres, not just "Toc". 126 men from Len's Battalion were killed, a true decimation. He also describes being blown out of a trench, digger buried men out, holding a man who died in his arms, killing a German with the butt of his rifle and another with a bayonet.  Finally, we go with Len as the Battalion is finally relieved and moves out of the line.

In this episode Len takes us back to the Somme in front of Pozieres at Moquet Farm. We also meet a couple of Germans. A very amusing little Saxon bloke and a possiblr spy. Len ends up at Ypres in Belgium. My apologies about the variable sound quality in this episode. I had problems with my old laptop!

Len takes us through the dismal winter of 1916-1917 at Ypres and on the Somme, in this episode which I almost called A for ANZAC. Find out why. We experience the death of the well loved Colonel Howell-Price, amongst other men. Joe Weger and his mates take prisoners in a trench raid on Hill 60 and Len describes action at Flers and sightings of some beings 'from another planet'. Meet Sergeant Yorke, Snooksie, 'Cock' and others that Len could never forget. This is the longest episode in the Len Jones series, so my apologies if it is too long for you. That is how Len wrote it.

In this episode of Len Jones' memoirs, Len recounts the 3rd Battalion's activities in 1917. He also describes the reaction of his family and friends when he goes on 'Blighty' leave. We hear about attacks at Hermies and the Lagnicourt, the German 'retreat' to the Hindenberg line in early 1917, boils, sausage balloons and the Red Baron. This episode is shorter than the last epic so come along for the ride.  

This episode covers much of 1917 including The 2nd Battle of Bullecourt and "Passchendaele" or the 3rd Ypres offensive. Len as usual provides great insight into the life of a digger on the western front. His description of signalling during the Battles of Polygon Wood and Broodseinde Ridge are awesome. You'll never forget the "s"es beers! This episode covers Len's Chapter 8 of his memoirs and is quite long, but that is how he wrote it. Here is some of it: "In charge of a sergeant, off we went, quite a mob, for Division was also sending up a wireless set. We were loaded with scopes and lamps and we were shelled all the way. Heavy stuff. We missed a lot of congestion going across country, but the ground! It was quite spongy, for underneath were mules, horses, Fritzes and Tommies of 1914 vintage on. And the stench rising from cracked, drying ground was pretty awful. Many of the division chaps, new to this smell, were not looking too good and one chap was promptly very sick over some brand new accumulators he carried. We had some narrow escapes, for we just had to plod on heavily laden. Anyway, he was ‘sweeping’ all over the place. Looking across to that dreadful Menin Road, I saw mules, men and ammo go up with a roar. Noise everywhere and up aloft scores of planes: Fritz planes, very aggressive. In fact, he seemed definitely to be ‘on top’, new Fokkers, etc. The dog fights fascinated us but on we went."

In this episode, Len takes us through the first half of 1918, at first on furlough in "Blighty" then he attends a training school when the Germans launch their final Spring Offensive.  Len provides us with more insights into life in the AIF and in wartime England. He gives his opinion on the quality of later recruits to the AIF and of the Americans he meets. It is also obvious how more mature and reserved  Len became toward the end of the war. Enjoy!

This final episode of Len Jones' memoirs takes us through the final battles of the Great War to the Armistice, including fierce battles through the Somme Valley.  Len then describes the very difficult trip home in early 1919 on the SS Somali, including an attempted mutiny by the soldiers at Adelaide. He takes up the story in July 1918, just before Ludendorff’s ‘Black day of the German army. Len finished the memoirs as World WarTwo started and he provides us with his thoughts on the new conflict.

Finally for the 100th real episode the long promised interview with Len Jones' grandson Murray. We talk about Len, the family and the service of Len's son and grandson, Norman and Murray. 3 wars for the price of one, folks! Episode artwork is Len in later years courtesy of Murray Jones.

It is April 1915, you are 21 years old, you have two brothers in khaki and on their way to god knows where (Gallipoli), you have had a big problem at work and you are broke. What do you do? You join the AIF of course! This is part one of the diary of Percy Ellesmere Smythe, the third oldest of four brothers who go to war. This is the story of your experiences and those of your brothers through your eyes. Come on a journey through the Dardenelles and the western front with Percy and come home in an officer's uniform with a Military Cross. You can find out more about the Smythe brothers at the Smythe family website, www.smythe.id.au    

In this episode Viv Smythe gets married before going to war, Percy renews old acquaintances at Taree and he gets charged with something he did not cause. We meet more diggers and learn more about camp life at Liverpool, including the infamous Colonel Kirkland.

This is an extra special episode. 15 Year old Tom Wark is guest presenter and does a fantastic job at presenting a letter written by Bert Smythe to his family where Bert recounts the landing and first few days at Gallipoli before he gets shot by a sniper. If you have any interest at all in the Gallipoli legend this is the episode to listen to. Bert gives a great account of the Turks, deaths in the First Brigade of the AIF, the work of the Third Brigade and Turkish attacks. This one is seriously not to be missed!

When I was a young man I carried a pack and waltzed me Matilda all over..... This is a tear jerker as Percy says goodbye to his family and sets sail on the SS Orsova for fate and destiny. Before he goes, his unit is set to Obelisk Bay in Sydney Harbour to fight fake Turks for the movie cameras, a clip of that movie is available at the Smythe family website if you care take a look... well worth it!

Just a little warning. This episode includes content that could offend modern sensibilities. Some racist terms and descriptions are used. If you can handle that, Percy describes his trip to Egypt and stopovers in Melbourne, Freemantle, Aden and Suez. We finish with him spending his first night in Egypt. It is worth a listen if you don't mind the "N" word.

He is almost there! In this episode Percy spends time at Cairo, travels by train to Alexandria and finally by ship to Lemnos Island and Gallipoli. Percy explores the Cheops Pyramid, the Sphynx and the infamous "Wozzer" where ANZAC troops rioted twice in 1915. Percy is a good religious boy, though, and shuns the activites at the Wozzer (The Can Can is evil, my wife will like that comment) and is disgusted when he accidentally drinks a bottle of beer!

Percy is at ANZAC and settles in to the shells, flies, maggots, dead bodies, bullets, and other problems. He visits Lone Pine, Shrapnel Gully and Dead Man's Gully. He meets up with his brothers Bert and Vern. Bert is not so well and Percy starts to get sick himself. Vern has a stellar career and Percy learns of his brave actions at Lone Pine.