First World War Vernon Sturdee

sturdee outside dugout @ anzac.

sturdee joined australian imperial force (aif) on 25 august 1914 rank of lieutenant. promoted captain on 18 october, , appointed adjutant of 1st division engineers. embarked melbourne egypt on former p&o ocean liner rms orvieto on 21 october 1914. participated in landing @ anzac cove on 25 april 1915, disembarking transport ss minnewaska before 9:00. duties included supervising engineer stores park on beach @ anzac cove, construction of jam tin grenades. evacuated twice hospital treatment enteric fever , serious damage stomach lining internal burns result of condy s crystals disinfectant being put drinking water. result, suffer stomach problems rest of life. in july, sturdee contracted influenza , evacuated anzac cove.

sturdee promoted major on 28 august 1915, , in september assumed command of 5th field company, unit raised in egypt support newly formed 2nd division. until end of campaign, responsible engineering , mining work @ steele s, quinn s , courtney s posts, 3 of northernmost , dangerous , exposed parts of line. departed anzac cove last time on 17 december 1915, 2 days before final evacuation.

western front

on returning egypt after evacuation of anzac, sturdee assumed responsibility provision of hutting @ aif reinforcement camp @ tel el kebir. there 5th field company in egypt, had been raised in australia. accordingly, sturdee s 5th field company renumbered 8th, , assigned 5th division when formed in february 1916. move gave new division experienced field company, @ expense of items of company s mail going france time , arriving in egypt marked not fifth, try eighth.

b company, 4th pioneer battalion shifts camp butte de warlencourt fremicourt light railway.

the 5th division moved france in june 1916, participated in disastrous battle of fromelles in july. during action, sturdee s 8th field company supported 8th infantry brigade. trench dug former facilitated latter s withdrawal across no man s land. service @ gallipoli , fromelles, mentioned in despatches, , awarded distinguished service order. heavy losses in fighting @ fromelles prevented 5th division participating in battle of somme. free division participate, ii anzac corps organised franks force take on divisional frontage in houplines sector, , sturdee became commander royal engineers (cre). when 5th division moved somme sector in november, became cre in charge of road albert montauban.

on 13 february 1917, sturdee appointed command 4th pioneer battalion, rank of lieutenant colonel. pioneer battalions organised infantry contained high percentage of tradesmen , employed on construction tasks under engineer supervision. on next 9 months 4th pioneer battalion maintained roads, built camps, laid cables , dug trenches , dugouts. 1917, australian government pushing british army officers holding australian commands , staff posts replaced australians. part of australianisation of australian corps, sturdee became cre of 5th division on 25 november 1917, replacing british army officer. on 27 march 1918, sturdee seconded general headquarters (ghq) british expeditionary force staff officer, remaining there until 22 october 1918. provided rare opportunity, australian officer, of observing workings of major headquarters engaged in active operations. service on western front, sturdee mentioned in despatches second time, , appointed officer of order of british empire work @ ghq.