Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA: 1895 - 1954) Saturday 21 July 1917

THE LATE PRIVATE S. G. MEGAW.

Private S. G. Megaw, second son of   Mrs.  M. and the late Mr. Thomas Megaw, of Broken Hill, who was killed in action   on June 18 last, was a native of Bruce in this State, and was born on June 15, 1881. With his parents he went to Olary in 1888. In 1897 he entered the Locomotive Department. After having worked   there for some time he went to Petersburg, and was transferred to Cockburn, as charge man in 1900. In 1913 he was stationed at Murray Bridge, where he remained until he enlisted in June, 1916. The deceased left for England in August of the same year. From there he went to France in November, and continued in active service until he was killed, after having survived some thrilling and trying experiences. Prior to going to the war he took part in manly sports, and was a keen rifleman, a winner of many trophies. A fine record of 13 consecutive bull's eyes at 300 yards, made on the Cockburn Rifle Range, stands to his credit. He was also a Freemason.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87606471 (nla.gov.au)

The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA: 1880 - 1954) Friday 12 October 1917

THE LATE PTE. S. G. MEGAW

Mrs. R. Megaw, of Broken Hill, mother of the late Private S. G. Megaw, who enlisted at Murray Bridge, and who was a member of the Masonic Lodge, has received a letter from Raymond L. Leane, commanding the 48th Battalion, as follows:—"I enclose a congratulatory card from the divisional general intended for your son. Private S. G. Megaw. I am extremely sorry that he is not with us to receive it himself. As you are no doubt aware, the boy was killed on June 12 at Messines, and was buried where he fell. He was a very brave man, and it is indeed hard that such men should be lost to us. I can quite understand how you must feel his loss, but you have this comfort, that he did his duty; and, after all, what better could one die for? The general who signed this card has paid the price also, for he was killed not far from where your son fell. May you gain com- fort from the fact that you were the mother of such a brave soldier, for we all get the best that is in us from her. Will you accept the deep sympathy of all the members of his battalion?" The cards bear the following inscription:—"Major-General W. Holmes, C.M.G., D.S.O., V.D., commanding 4th Australian Division, congratulates 2205 Private S. G. Megaw, 48th Battalion, A.I.F., on his plucky conduct at Messines on June 8, 1917. British Expeditionary Forces, France, June 27, 1917." The card bears the signature of William Holmes, Major-General, who was killed by the explosion of a shell when accompanying the New South Wales Premier (Mr. W. A. Holman) through the lines. Private Megaw was killed four days after the incident for which he was congratulated.

The secretary of the Murray Bridge Lodge has received the following letter from Corporal Catchlove, from "Somewhere in France" —As a member of the Craft, it is with deep regret that I have to report the death of Bro. Geo. S. Megaw (Pte.), a member of your Lodge, who was killed in action at Messines on the 11th June, 1917. He was severely wounded in several places, mostly in the   back, and suffered badly from shock, but succumbed whilst being carried to the dressing station. He has been buried in the field. He was the No. 1 man to the Lewis Gun Section of the 13th Platoon of D Company in the 48th Battalion. He joined the Battalion in France, early in December, 1916, since which time he took part in Fluers (twice), Bullecourt, and Messines (twice) campaigns, and has rendered invaluable services at all times to the battalion. I am happy to say he has been recommended for his good work in action. I may say he was offered stripes as non-commissioned officer on two or three occasions, but his retiring and unassuming disposition kept him from accepting them. It might he gratifying to the members of the   lodge to know that he was most popular with   all who came in contact with him, and his loss is deeply and keenly felt by us all"

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article147703237 (nla.gov.au)

SAMUEL GEORGE MEGAW

(1881-1917)

Samuel George Megaw was born at Richman’s Creek (which is located near Bruce – some records show Richmond Creek) on 15 June 1881 to Thomas and Mary (nee Lower) Megaw. He was the third of 10 children.

His siblings were Thomas William (Coomooroo 1887-1857), Harriet Jane (Alma Plains 1879-1881), Hugh James (Bruce 1883-1889), Albert Ernest (Bruce 1885-1972), Charles Rudolph (Bruce 1887-1947), Percival Oliver (Olary 1889-1945), Mary Elizabeth (Olary 1891-1966), Sydney Robert (Olary 1894-1976) and Ruby Eva (Olary 1896-1984).

His family moved from Bruce to Olary sometime around 1888 where the family remained until after the death of Thomas in 1905 and then moved to Broken Hill.

Olary is a settlement on the Barrier Highway in South Australia. It is situated near Olary Creek and is one of the easternmost settlements in South Australia. This small settlement was established in the late 1880s to service the highway and the railway which pass through here. O’lary Post Office opened on 12 October 1886, was renamed Oolarie around 1888 and Olary around 1896. After the modernization of transport which travelled between Adelaide and Broken Hill the village population declined. However it still has a hotel and general store to cater for the transient road and railway workers and travellers.

George (as he was known, probably to differentiate him from his grandfather and uncle) joined the South Australian Railways on the 8th November 1897 in Olary as a youth pumper (a job just like his cousin James Megaw jnr.). He remained a pumper until he transferred to Cockburn as a chargeman on 29 December 1906.

Cockburn as a town came into existence in 1886. By 1892 the town had become sizable boasting 2 hotels, 2 general stores, 3 boarding houses, schools and churches. It has a population of around 200 people including a blacksmith, butcher and a baker. The railways staff at Cockburn included a stationmaster, 2 engineers, customs office, loco superintendent and a miner. Seven trains ran regularly between Peterborough, Cockburn and Broken Hill. In 1892 83,194 passengers travelled though Cockburn.

During his stay in Cockburn he was a member of the Cockburn Rifle Club where his brother Thomas  William Megaw was the Captain and he held the record of 13 bullseyes over 300 yards.

He was elected treasurer of the Government General Workers Association in Cockburn on 4 March 1912.

An article in The Advertiser in 18 September 1913 shows how well respected he was:-

“On Monday evening a social was held in the Cockburn Institute Hall under the auspices of the Government General Workers' Association, for the purpose of bidding adieu to Mr. S. G. Megaw, who is leaving to take up his duties as chargeman at Murray Bridge. Mr. Megaw has been chargeman in the Cockburn sheds for seven years, and Mr. J. Sheerlock, in presenting a gold emblem of the association, spoke highly of him. His remarks were heartily support by Messrs. Gillespie and O'Brien. Many other members and friends wished, Mr. Megaw farewell. Supper was provided and dancing followed.”

On the 27th November 1913 he transferred to Murray Bridge continuing his career as a chargeman.

As the name implies a charge man was in charge of a shift of staff – ranging from cleaners, fitters, fuel men (coal and fuel oil), washout men, labourers etc.   Chargemen were responsible for ensuring everyone rostered for duty were in fact at work and working at their allotted tasks (cleaners had a habit of finding a warm place to have a bit of a kip).  Chargemen were especially important in the days of steam.  It was their job to ensure engines were ready to go into service at the appointed time.   They had to ensure engines coming off a trip were properly shut down - i.e. Ashes emptied out of the ash pan, loco refuelled and topped up with water, boiler filled, and wood placed in the cab for the next light-up – and any minor repairs/adjustments (that were within the capacity of the shed's fitters) properly attended to.    

After the outbreak of World War 1, George enlisted on 6 May 1916 where he was originally attached to “C” Company, 2nd Depot Battalion Mitcham and then he was moved to “D” company, 4th Reinforcements/ 48th Battalion.

His enlistment papers show his particulars as: Height 5 foot 10 inches, weight 165 pounds, complexion medium, brown eyes and dark brown hair. Religion;  Methodist.

On Saturday 12 August 1916 he embarked on the HMAT Ballarat arriving in Plymouth on 30 September 1916. He served with the 12th Training Battalion before departing Folkestone on 20 November 1916 on the SS Victoria for Etaples, France, and on the 4th of December he was taken on strength by the 48th Battalion.

The 48th Battalion was raised in Egypt on 16 March 1916 as part of the “doubling” of the AIF. Roughly half of its new recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 16th Battalion, and the other half, fresh reinforcements from Australia. Reflecting the composition of the 16th, the men of the new battalion hailed mainly from regional South Australia and Western Australia. The new battalion formed part of the 12th Brigade of the 4th Australian Division. It became known as the “Joan of Arc” (the Maid of Orleans) battalion because it was “made of all Leanes” - it was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ray Leane, his brother was the adjutant, and several other relatives were scattered throughout the battalion.

The 48th’s first major battle on the Western Front was Pozières. Here, it was tasked with defending ground captured in earlier attacks by the 2nd Division and entered the firing line on two separate occasions - 5 to 7 and 12 to 15 August. During the former period the battalion endured what was said to be heaviest artillery barrage ever experienced by Australian troops and suffered 598 casualties. A diorama at the Australian War Memorial depicts the battalion’s experience at Pozières. Before it had recovered from the trials of Pozières, the 48th was also required to defend ground captured during the battle of Mouquet Farm.

1917 was also a trying year for the 48th Battalion. In two of the major battles in which it fought - the first battle of Bullecourt, in France, and the battle of Passchendaele, in Belgium - it was forced to withdraw with heavy casualties as result of poor planning and inadequate support. On neither occasion did the battalion fail for want of courage or skill amongst its own troops.

Like most AIF battalions, the 48th rotated in and out of the front line through the winter of 1917-18. In the spring of 1918 it played a crucial role in blocking the main road into Amiens when the Germans launched their last great offensive. When it came time for the Allies to launch their own offensive, the 48th took part in the battle of Amiens between 8 and 10 August, and the battle to seize the Hindenburg “outpost line” between 18 and 20 September. This was the 48th’s last battle of the war. It disbanded on 31 March 1919.

George was well respected by the other members of his unit as evidenced by reports of his death.

Early June 1917 he and his Battalion were moved into the front lines at Messines near Hill 63 and formed part of the attack on Owl Trench. Whilst the attack was partially successful a large portion still remained in enemy hands. During this event George received a commendation from Major General William Holmes for his plucky conduct on 8 June by going forward under heavy fire with a Lewis Gun whilst the trench was being consolidated. This was not converted into any medals as George was killed 4 days later (more on this) and the recommending office General Holmes was also killed whilst escorting the NSW Premier on a tour of the front lines.

George was killed on 12 June 1916 and his death was recorded by 2 of his comrades and I quote:

The first is a report to the Red Cross by Corporal McLellan who was in “D” Company, 15th Platoon, dated 7th March 1918.

“Critchley and Megaw were on the same gun team at Messines in the front line, a new line recently taken from the enemy (Owl Support). A shell burst on the parapets killing Critchley and blowing Megaw to pieces. I saw Critchley’s body, which was put on the back parapet until we were relieved about 24 hours later. Nothing whatsoever was found of Megaw. I knew Critchley, hew was about 24 years old, well built; known as Mick. I knew Megaw; he was in charge of the gun team, he was about 28 years of age (sic), quiet, dark. I think he came from Western Australia.”

The second is a second hand account from Pte. Lane via Sgt. Hacker, there is no date but must have been reported during Sgt. Hacker’s return home on the HMAT Orca.

“At Messines 12/6/17 during our attack Macgaw (sic) was in the same Pltn. As myself and I saw him hit by a piece of shell, killing him instantly. He was buried in a shell hole about 4 kilos to the right front of the village facing our line. I did not see any cross erected.”

Just to confuse matters further, in Lieutenant Colonel R. L. Leanes commendation, which was written up on 13 June 1917 he wrote;

“At MESSINES on 8 June 1917 for Conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. After the capture of Owl Trench this man went forward and covered the flank with a Lewis Gun whilst the trench was consolidated. He carried on until killed by sniper.”

This was signed by Lt/Col Leane and should have been signed by Maj/Gen Holmes who was Commanding General 4th Australian Division. It was not countersigned at he was killed on the 2nd July 1917. Consequently George did not receive any medal for his bravery.

It has been reported that he was buried at Ploegstreet cemetery in the Red Cross records and his records with the Australian War Memorial indicate he was buried in Bon Fermier Gully southwest of Messines. Take your pick.

What we do know his name is recorded at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, West-Vlaandereen, Belgium.

He was very much remembered by his family in particularly his mother with notices annually in the Heroes of the War sections of the personal notices. Every year from his death in 1917 until 1948 he was remembered by his mother and siblings. These stopped in 1949 probably because his mother was ill in private hospital and she died on 15 November 1949.