Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James Godfrey Backler, known as Goff, was only three months past his 18th birthday when he enlisted on January 9, 1917. Goff was given the rank of private in the 9th Reinforcements of the 5th Pioneer Battalion. He had time to go home before embarking, and like other Robe men before him was given a farewell at the Institute. Once again a crowd packed the hall for speeches and presentations, followed by cards, games and singing. The Naracoorte Herald recorded that Mr H Hudson presented the young soldier with a set of military brushes, socks, kneecaps, scarves and mittens on behalf of the Square Dinkem Cheer-up Club, while the Children's Coo-ee Club gave him some shaving accessories and handkerchiefs. Dancing kept everyone up until the early hours of the morning.
Goff left Adelaide just three days later, on February 10, aboard the HMAT A48 Seang Bee. He disembarked at Devonport on the south coast of England on May 2, 1917 and was sent to a training camp at Fovant in Wiltshire. Two months later he was transferred to the 27th Battalion, which was originally raised in South Australia in 1915.
He finally joined his unit in Belgium in early October, at a time when the battalion was fighting on Passchendaele Ridge. In April 1918 it was part of efforts to turn back the German spring offensive, going on to attack near Morlancourt in June and act in a supporting role during the battle of Hamel in July. It was part of the first wave of attack at the battle of Amiens in August, capturing nine artillery pieces, 25 machine guns and more than 200 prisoners.
Goff was reported wounded in action at Peronne on August 30, 1918, when he received a severe gunshot wound to his left thigh. He was taken to a casualty clearing station and then loaded into an ambulance the next day for immediate evacuation to England. He spent almost two months in a military hospital at Woking before being discharged at the end of October and granted two weeks furlough to continue his convalescence. By then the war was over. Goff left England for Australia in January. In February his grateful parents received word that he was due to arrive in Melbourne in early March aboard the transport ship Ceramic.
The young soldier was honoured with two public celebrations on his return to the South East. In Mount Gambier, he was one of three soldiers met at the railway station by the Mayor Mr G.E. Truman. Crowds gathered in the streets to cheer them on as they were conveyed by cab to the Town Hall, accompanied by a band playing patriotic airs.
At Robe, Goff's return was celebrated at the Institute in a social that also welcomed back Driver A Ling, Trooper E Turner and Sister Eileen Canny. They passed through arches of flags held by local school children, up onto the stage to stand beneath a Welcome Home banner recently donated by Mrs Hateley. Speaking on behalf of the Dinkum Club, Mr A. W. Howard praised their bravery in 'so nobly responding to the call of duty, King and Empire'. Eileen was showered with flowers and the men were presented with medals by Mr J. Lea on behalf of the club. All four guests of honour responded before the crowd joined in singing 'For they are jolly good fellows' and the National Anthem. In long-standing tradition there were cards and games until 10 pm, followed by supper and dancing until the small hours of the morning.
A motor engine driver before the war, Goff later moved to Adelaide where he worked for the Austin car company. He lived with his wife Dorothy and their two sons in a house at Hilton named Ebor (Robe spelt backwards). Goff died in 1969 at the age of 70 and is buried in the West Terrace Cemetery.
Researched and written by Liz Harfull, a co-owner of the former Backler home, with additional information provided by Rob Hall, a nephew to Alec and Goff.