Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ronald RESCHKE #4917 31st Battalion

Ron Reschke was born at Wellington near Bourke NSW. His parents, Jack and Jessie would appear to have moved around considerably during Ron’s youth. By the time that Ron enlisted in Brisbane on 31st October 1916, Jack and Jessie’s address was Yarraman, Nanango Line. Ron gave his address as Kilcoy and occupation as labourer, although his mother when completing the Roll of Honour circular stated his occupation as tree feller. It is fairly likely that Ron was working at timber getting in the Kilcoy area.

Ron embarked for overseas on 7th February 1917 on the “Wiltshire” in Brisbane as a reinforcement for the 31st Battalion. He disembarked in Devonport on 11th April and marched into the 8th Training Battalion at Hurdcott.

In October 1917, Ron finally was taken on strength by the 31st Battalion in the rear areas behind Ypres in Belgium. The 31st Battalion was part of the 8th brigade of the 5th Division AIF. The entire 5th Division had suffered crippling casualties at Fromelles in July 1916, and the 31st battalion was the worst hit with 572 killed or wounded out of a nominal strength of 800. It would take over a year for the 31st to be considered fit for frontline duty. Ron was joining the battalion just after a successful action at Polygon Wood in September, the first time into the line since the disaster at Fromelles.

As the Passchendaele campaign of 1917 became mired in the Flanders mud, the entire Australian force comprising 5 Divisions went into winter quarters in and around Poperinghe. Brigades rotated in and out of the frontline, as well as periods of sports, hot baths, and rest on the French coast. No offensive action was conducted during this time but command was expecting a German offensive in the Spring of 1918; but intelligence was unable to pinpoint the timing or location.

The German spring offensive began on 21st March 1918. The main thrust was along the valley of the Somme in France where the British 5th Army were defending the approaches to the vital communication hub of Amiens. The British regiments were unable to stem the flood of German troops pouring westward and huge gains in territory were made.

In an attempt to meet and halt the German advance, the British Commander Haig ordered a number of unattached brigades of Australian infantry south from their winter camps to replace the shattered British regiments. The 8th Brigade of the AIF left Belgium on 27th March and had taken up position on the south bank of the Somme River and canal. The 31st held the line at Hamel during the first weeks of April. The battalion was not tasked with any offensive action, but rather engaged in active patrolling at night to gain information regarding enemy strength and disposition.

It is most likely that during one such patrol, Ron Reschke was killed. His records simply state KIA 12th April 1918. He was probably buried in a temporary grave close to the battalion position where his remains lay undisturbed until the early 1920s when his remains were exhumed and reinterred in the Crucifix Corner Cemetery with a permanent headstone. A few possessions of Ron’s were sent to his family which had moved from Yarraman to Canungra.