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Ballarat & District in the Great War

When you compile a research profile for a particular individual and you have nearly twenty pages of notes, you just know you are in for one heck of a ride. That was certainly the case with Joe Catron – army officer, sportsman, teacher, social worker and all round over achiever.

Born on 9 February 1891, Joseph Edward Thomas Catron was the second of two sons born to William George Catron, and Emily Jane Alice Maud Parslow. Although the birth was recorded as having occurred at Kilmore, Emily was actually safely delivered of her son 12-kilometres away at the Moranding State School house, where her husband was the teacher.

The Catron family was of particularly ancient origins and had strong ties to the North-East English county of Northumberland. William Catron was the first generation born in Australia – and his birth at Ballarat East on 2 August 1862, was to cement a life-long connection to the city.

When Joe reached school age, his father was teaching at Yeungroon, a small community south of Charlton in north central Victoria. His older brother, Bill, in writing to the “Our Letter Box” column in the Weekly Times, gave an interesting insight into the area.
‘…Dear Uncle Ben, — This is the first time that I have written to you, and I hope that you will accept me as one of your many nephews. I will begin by telling you about Yeungroon. It is about twelve miles from Charlton, and twenty from St. Arnaud. The mail from Melbourne comes -every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Yeungroon is a very pretty place. It is surrounded by hills, some of which are very high. Our inspector, Mr F. Tate, we were told, said that it is the prettiest place in his district.

There has been plenty of rain about here lately. We had nearly four inches, which is the record for a number, of years.

I am eleven years old, and in the sixth class. Our school was examined lately, but I did not get my Merit. The inspector said that I had done the best work. I failed in the Merit sum. I only failed in one sum. I had every other question right.

The composition he gave was; — A man had a gardener who boasted that he could make any seed that was given him grow. The man thought that he would have some fun with him. He got some herrings' eggs, put them in a packet, and gave them to John.
John said that they would be up in a fortnight. At the time stated the gentleman went to have his laugh. But, to his surprise, he saw the heads of a dozen herrings sticking above the ground. Good-bye. -With love to all my cousins, William Catron…’

The family spent three years at Yeungroon before William Catron was transferred to the Mount Duneed State School near Geelong in August 1900. Both Joe and Bill continued their education there under the tutelage of their father.

After removing to South Geelong, Joe finished his schooling at Swanston Street State School. During his time there, Joe successfully passed his Merit Certificate. The family lived in Lonsdale Street, just around the corner from the school.

Joe’s time in Geelong was to produce some outstanding results across a variety of fields and cement long-term associations. He enjoyed success in cross-country running with the Geelong Guild Harriers, were he held the position of vice-captain, and represented the Christ Church Harriers in the 10-mile Cross-Country Championship of 1908.

In 1910, Joe won amateur championships in boxing and wrestling at Geelong and Western District levels. He was also a fine rower and represented the Corio Bay Rowing Club in pairs and eights over several seasons.

A minor controversy occurred in March 1911, when Joe was billed to defend his middleweight title against professional boxer, H. Clarke from Melbourne. He was forced to withdraw when the Victorian Rowing Association objected to him fighting a professional bout when he was scheduled to row for Corio Bay in the maiden eights.

Joe was also a member of the Geelong Fire Brigade and represented the city in four demonstrations.
However, it was Joe’s expertise in an entirely unlikely sport that was perhaps the most outstanding and astonishing. In 1910 he held the world record for endurance ice-skating. Notwithstanding his results, Joe still had to defend his achievement against rivals.
‘…Sir,—I noticed in an advertisement in to-day's issue of your paper that Mr. Laurie Clarke claims to be the present holder of the amateur championship endurance skating. This, I maintain, is incorrect, as Mr. Clarke is a professional through competing against a professional, viz., Professor Eckard, so cannot claim the championship. I was announced as the amateur champion of the world at Queenscliff last Saturday night by a committee of six after doing 36 hours 5 minutes, covering 236 miles in the time. It was also announced that I had won the world's amateur 25 hours' record by skating 200 miles in that time. I can produce signed documents proving me to be an amateur, therefore I claim to be amateur champion of the world, and I cannot see Mr. Clarke has any claim to the championship after competing with a professional.
Yours. etc..
JOE. CATRON, Geelong, 12/4/'10…’

Then, on 30 July 1910, he set about slashing that record at the Princess’ Skating Rink in Geelong. On this occasion, a large crowd watched as Joe skated 300-miles over the same time. In the process he also lowered the 12-hour record of 150 miles by a further 43-miles. Joe was also the manager of the Princess’ Skating Rink.

The Catron family worshipped at the Yarra Street Methodist Church in Geelong. Joe joined the choir at the church alongside Harry Dowsing, from Ballarat, and Horace Sibbison, from Daylesford, both of whom would later join him in the ranks of the AIF.

Joe’s military career began in junior cadets, where he received two years training at the Swanston Street State School under the command of Sir Thomas Calder. At the age of 10, he was appointed lieutenant in the Geelong Senior Cadet Corps, then under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Rashleigh. In 1908 he transferred to the 1st Battalion, the “Old Blues”, Senior Cadets, before continuing onto the 69B Area cadets, where he was second in command and promoted to the rank of captain.

When his father took the position of assistant head teacher at Humffray Street State School in Ballarat, Joe moved to the 70th Infantry – the “Ballarat Regiment.” He achieved good results on his certificates, with expertise in drilling and map reading.
In the midst of all this, Joe still managed to undertake a programme of instruction with the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia. He was awarded the Bronze Medal, the pinnacle of achievement in the life-saving community.

Joe’s began his working life in Geelong. His first job was as a tailor with the drapery store, Bright and Hitchcock. By 1914, he was working as a traveller for the store’s tailoring department.

With news that Britain had declared war against Germany, local militia units were mobilised to protect vital installations.

Commanders of the 70th Regiment received orders to assemble their troops to travel to Queenscliff as part of the Coastal Defence Force. There were unprecedented scenes in Ballarat as the men prepared to leave Ballarat on Friday 7 August.

‘…Many thousands of people assembled in the streets of the city and town today to witness the departure for Queenscliff of the 70th (Ballarat) Infantry Regiment. The regiment bivouacked during the night at the Exhibition Building, abutting on the orderly room. The mayors of the city and town (Crs. Brokenshire and Pittard) provided the straw bedding for the men, who were also supplied by the mayors with a coffee supper before settling down for the night.

The regiment was early astir to-day, and after a number of exercises had been performed, preparations for entrainment for Queenscliff were commenced. There was a large gathering of citizens at the drill grounds for the purpose of saying farewell to the departing regiment. Mothers and sweethearts of the young soldiers predominated.

The special military train left the Western station at about 10:30 a.m. During the march en route to the station, the regiment, which was headed by its band playing a lively air, was cheered on all sides. The footpaths and roads were thickly lined with enthusiastic citizens, while many others clambered on to verandahs and other points of vantage in order to obtain a good view of the departing men.

Loud cheers were given in all directions, and thousands of handkerchiefs were waved in farewells. The Union Jack and other British flags were displayed on the towers of the Government buildings, city hall, town hall, banks, warehouses and other buildings. Across Bridge Street on a white calico ground there was displayed in large letters the words. God Save the King, and further along the thoroughfare also appeared overhead, For God and Country. Conspicuous in the display in this street were the Irish and Scotch flags unfurled at different points.

Fully 15,000 persons met the Regiment at the Western railway station, and cheers were given as the men marched on the platform. Thousands of people clambered on to the high embankment connecting the Ballarat West and Ballarat East stations for the purpose of getting a view of the proceedings, while many assembled in Mair-street, at the base of the embankment. Ringing cheers were again given for the 70th as the train steamed out of the station on its way to Queenscliff. The mayors and mayoresses of the city and town were prominent in the farewell to the troops…’

The Australian Government’s offer of 20,000 men resulted in thousands immediately offering their services. Many members of the 70th Infantry, already stationed at Queenscliff, were amongst the first to sign up. Amongst their number was Joe Catron. He enlisted there on 19 August.

At just 23 years of age, Joe had matured to particularly fine example of those early troops – he was 6-foot tall and weighed 11-stone 10-pounds, with a 39-inch chest. On 24 August, he was appointed to the rank of second-lieutenant. His application for commission was dated a week later.

Joe was in charge of a guard of sentries on duty at the ammunition works in Footscray, when he was called into camp at Broadmeadows. He was then posted to Ballarat’s 8th Infantry Battalion and assigned to A Company lieutenant in A Company and placed in charge of a platoon of Ballarat boys.

As one of the original 8th Battalion, Joe was also part of the First Contingent to sail from Australia in October 1914. They were onboard HMAT Benalla and embarked from Port Melbourne on 19 October.

Crossing the Indian Ocean was not completed without major excitement – Ballarat’s Jack Ryan, who was an able-seaman onboard HMAS Sydney, gave a riveting account of what happened during the voyage.

'I suppose you noticed where we knocked the German cruiser Emden 'out of bounce.' On Sunday, 1st November we left Albany. We had a smooth passage. On Monday, 9th November, a wireless "SOS" message was received from Cocos Islands to the effect that a strange warship was in the harbour. We started off at full steam ahead. This vessel never travelled faster: 29.9 knots we averaged. We got the message at half-past 6 in the morning, and we sighted a ship at half-past 9. She was travelling at 25 knots. We caught up, and the vessel proved to be a German man-o'-war.

We hoisted the challenge, and she replied with a shot. Then the fun commenced. That was at 10.15. We fired 735 shots; she fired 1400 odd shots.

After we were at it about 15 minutes we shot away the enemy vessel's foremast and funnel, and she managed to remove our exhaust. Then she landed a shell in our aft control and wounded four men.
We shot away her foremast. It was great to watch it come down. When it was falling it carried away the bridge.

Then the Emden landed a shell on our bridge, smashing our range-finder. The shell struck one of our men, taking his leg off from the thigh. The man exclaimed, 'Oh, my God!' Then we shot away the Emden's middle funnel, and she replied by lodging a shell on our forecastle. It smashed through to the boys' mess deck. All this time we had been drilling holes in the Emden's side.

Finally we knocked over her remaining funnel. Suddenly she made a bolt for an island and ran ashore. She was on fire. Then we chased a collier, caught the vessel, took off the crew, and sunk her.
We returned to the Emden. She still had the German flag flying. She was ordered to take it down, and would not, so we fired six shots, and it came down quickly.

In the morning we removed all who were alive from the Emden. Over 210 of the Germans were killed, and nearly all on board sustained some injury. We had three killed and 11 wounded…'

The contingent stopped at Port Suez on 5 December, before continuing onto Alexandria, where the troops disembarked three days later. The 8th Battalion immediately proceeded to Mena Camp.

At midnight on 3 February 1915, the 8th Battalion received orders to move to the Suez Canal, where Turkish forces had launched an attacked. According to Colonel William Bolton, there was great excitement amongst the men, and they were ready to leave camp within an hour.

‘…[the] whole camp turned out of bed and lined the road to wish us luck and express envy and regret at not going with us…’

The excitement was short lived, however. The Turks were already withdrawing by the time the 7th and 8th Battalions arrived. And when orders to pursue them across the Western Sinai Desert were cancelled, there were ‘plenty of disappointed faces’ amongst the troops.

On the 4 April, the battalion left Cairo for Alexandria in preparation for embarkation to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force the following day. The men were loaded onboard the transport Clan MacGillivray to begin the first stage of their journey to the island of Lemnos.

Joe Catron was with the first wave of troops to land at ANZAC Cove on 25 April.

Back in Geelong, news that a significant number of the congregation of the Yarra Street Methodist Church were in the thick of battle at Gallipoli was not lost upon the minister, Reverend Charles Tregear. On 3 May, he held a special intercessory service at the church in which the names of those on active service, including Joe Catron, Harry Dowsing and Horace Sibbison, were read out to the congregation. Sadly, within days both Joe and Harry were badly wounded. Harry would later succumb to his head wounds on 21 May, whilst Joe was to suffer significant physical damage. (Horace Sibbison would be killed in action on 14 April 1918).

The 8th Battalion had taken part in the charge at Krithia (Cape Helles) on 8 May. Joe was leading his men when he was struck in the left knee by a Turkish bullet. He was admitted to the 11th Casualty Clearing Station at ANZAC on the 9 May, before being transferred to the Hospital Ship St George. On 18 May he arrived at Malta, where he was admitted to the Blue Sisters Hospital. The bullet had perforated the synovial sac above the patella, with an exit wound above the head of fibula. On investigation, it was discovered that the bullet had severed the external popliteal nerve. Amazingly, the surgeon was able to reattach the nerve in an operation on 8 June.

Knowing that his parents would be concerned for his welfare, Joe arranged for a cablegram to be sent to his mother. He then wrote the following letter to his father,

‘…I am hit in the knee. It went through the joint. I was hit in that big charge we made on 8-5-15. I suppose you read about it. and I suppose Ballarat knows, all about it, as I had the Ballarat boys, and we were firing line for our battalion in conjunction with Bill's platoon He is a lieutenant now, and I lost 36 of them, nil from Ballarat but four. I was rather pleased at losing so few. They are grand fellows. I expected to lose the lot, as the firing line always gets a hot time in an advance. We were shelled the whole way. You couldn't see at times for the dust made by the bullets striking the ground.

Col. Bolton is well liked by all. He looks after us like a father, and is very cool, and knows his job. The fellows would do anything for him. Poor Capt. Possingham was shot dead near me. He had just given me my orders to move, and he was shot a few seconds after.

It isn't a very nice experience to be wounded and left out all night, but of course, stretcher bearers can't get near, as the fire is always hot after an advance. The stretchers got me about daybreak next morning. I was hit at about 4.30 p.m. It is terrible to hear fellows crying out in the dark. You get very nervy when you are wounded, and notice their cries for help more than you would under ordinary circumstances.

I was taken back to the reserve trenches about two in the morning, and I met Capt. Coulter, of Ballarat. He was commanding our battalion then, as Col. Bolton was Brigadier, and he gave me some rum, and it stopped my shivering for a while. It was terrible cold, and losing so much blood makes one colder.

I am in a Convent here, and the Blue Sisters are nurses. They are grand. They are Australians. Three of them volunteered to come from Rome to nurse the Australians.

Maltese people are the limit for kindness. We are just like their own sons. Lord Methuen is Governor here. He often comes in to visit us.

Well, I don't know if I have your right address, but I haven't heard from you since November. I hope you are well, and having a good time. I have written over a dozen times. Good-bye. - Your affectionate son…
Bill was still going last time I saw him. The wound has healed, but it has developed sinivitis (sic), so will be some time yet. I might take a trip to England when convalescent…’

When he was fit enough to travel, Joe was evacuated to the United Kingdom on 29 June onboard the Hospital Ship Glengorm Castle. He reached England on 9 July and was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth later the same day.

After examining his knee, the doctors recorded the details of the case and noted that Joe was unable to walk without support to the joint.

A series of Medical Boards were held over the next four months. It was clear that Joe continued to suffer problems with his knee – initially it was recurrent swelling and pain, but it was the lack of strength that was of most concern. He was required to wear a knee brace in order to walk, but it also caused limitations by preventing him from fully flexing his leg.

While he was recuperating, Joe took the opportunity to write to families who had suffered losses during the fighting at Gallipoli.

In writing to the parents of Ballarat’s Lieutenant Stan Close, who was killed following the Landing at Gallipoli, Joe shared the following tribute. He and Stan had served together in the 70th Infantry Regiment.
‘…His men speak splendidly of him. He was a great favourite with all. His men would have followed him anywhere. They followed him through a terrible test on that awful day, and they all agree that he proved himself a splendid, brave soldier and a credit to you all. He helped to make a glorious name not only for his regiment but for dear old Australia…’

He wrote to the widow of Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Gartside, of Harcourt. Gartside, a Boer War veteran, was killed on 8 May.

‘…My dear Mrs. Gartside,— l really do not know how to express my sympathy towards you and yours. I was near your husband when he called on our Australian lads, and then led us in that memorable charge on that fierce day of May 8th, 1915. He was splendid. His dying words were: "Go on, boys; it is perhaps to your death, but go!" He served his country gloriously in South Africa, and if possible more gloriously in the Dardanelles. He left my regiment to command the 7th. We would have followed under such a leader anywhere, for he was loved by all, and his words will never be forgotten. Goodbye, Mrs Gartside, and please accept my very deepest sympathy…’

When he received news that his friend, Private Alma (Alan) May, of Daylesford, had died of wounds at ANZAC, Joe wrote the following letter to the young man’s father.

'…Australian and New Zealand Base Depot, Weymouth. 10.11.'15.
Dear Mr. May,—I am writing to express my sympathy to you over poor Alan's death, which I have just noticed recorded in to-day's lists. In these terrible times it is hard to know how to express one's feelings. No one can share your feelings better than those who have been through it all.

I know you would like to know something of his fine qualities as a soldier and a man. When I was fighting, I always heard his name mentioned as one of our bravest and best soldiers. He always volunteered for the hardest and most dangerous tasks, so I feel certain that it was while engaged on a job like this that he went down.

Some of his mates are here waiting to go back to the front, and they asked me to send their sympathy to Mrs May and yourself, and to say that he was the 'whitest' man in the 8th. Please convey to Mrs May my deepest sympathy.
Yours, JOE CATRON.
(In a rather poignant connection, Alan May was the brother of Joe’s future wife, Zoe).

During the Lord Mayor's Show in London on 9 November, a special part in the procession was taken by Australian officers and men who had been wounded in the Dardanelles. They were met with a great reception all along the route. Joe was able to take part in the event, later writing to his father, ‘…It was a great experience for us. We got a tremendous reception, as we had all been wounded. Every man was over 5 feet 10 inches, and looked big alongside the little Tommies. The Guards' Band passed us, and we were taller than the men and their big busby hats as well…’

When Joe faced a final medical board on 2 December, he was aware that there was little chance he would pass fit for continued general service. Indeed, the doctors concluded that, whilst he was possibly fit for home service, the weakness of his knee made it unlikely he would ever be capable of the rigors of frontline duty. Taking the news on the chin, Joe instead enjoyed the opportunity of a trip through the “old country.” He wrote of his travels to his father…
‘…I expect to be home soon. I gave my knee a bit of a twist, and weakened it again, and 1 can't get past the medical board, but I have got six months' home service in Australia. 1 am a bit disappointed, as I wanted to get back to the boys again.

I have just had a nice run through England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales for my Christmas leave. I had a lovely time indeed. I left Weymouth with Lieut Walker. We stayed one night in London, and then we caught the “Flying Scotchman” (sic) (which is the fastest train in the world) to Edinburgh, passing through the coalfields and Newcastle. The trip up takes seven hours. You have breakfast in London and afternoon tea in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is a fine city – supposed to be a modern Athens. The main street is as wide as Sturt Street, and has lovely buildings on one side, and on the other it has fine big gardens. Then behind the gardens stands Edinburgh Castle.

We had a look over the castle, and saw the room where King Edward V was born, the Crown Jewels, etc. From the castle you can see the country for miles around. I saw Ben Lomond, Loch Lomond, and Culloden Field.

One of the most interesting sights was the great Forth Bridge. The big fleet was in the Forth, and the HMAS Australia was flagship.

The Highland scenery is very pretty.
Glasgow is a nice city, and a great business centre. It was brilliantly lighted – such a pleasant contrast to the darkness of London.

From Glasgow we made for the coast, and caught the fast turbine mail boat (25 knots an hour) for Larne, in Ireland. Larne is a very pretty, typical Irish seaport town.

We caught the train to Belfast, which is where the big ships are built. At present they are building the biggest battleship in the world. We had a very interesting time at the shipbuilding yards.

It is an eye-opener to see a big vessel on the stocks.
Belfast has a beautiful city hall. One of the best buildings I have seen so far. The streets are very wide, too.

From Belfast we went to Dublin. Dublin is a nice city. We were there for Christmas Eve. Although the streets were crowded, I have never seen a more quiet and orderly crowd. I only saw one drunken man, and there were no rows.

One thing which we noticed with Irish people was their kindness to us. Everywhere we went someone always came up and spoke to us, and wished us a Merry Christmas.

We didn’t see much of Killarney, as it was wet, and no boats are running now.

The scenery between Belfast and Dublin is splendid.
We just passed through Wales in the train. We had a splendid trip – London for pleasure, Edinburgh for pretty girls, and Dublin for nice people. Had Christmas dinner in Belfast.

Billy [Catron] has left for the front again. I suppose he is nearly there now. I am anxious to get back and see you all again. I am going to have a hard try to get out fighting again soon. We go home around the Cape, so by the time I get home I will have seen a good many places…’

On 19 January 1916, Joe boarded the Star of Victoria at Portland to sail home to Australia.

When news was received that Joe was coming home, his friends wasted no time in planning suitable celebrations. The members of the Geelong City Fire Brigade organised a fireman’s welcome – including a torchlight procession from the railway station. He was met by the brigade, the St Augustine’s Band, and a large number of friends and prominent citizens, who assured him of a ‘very hearty and rousing welcome home.’

Wanting to thank the brigade on a personal level, Joe later presented the Geelong City Fire Brigade with a silver cup and four biscuit barrels that were to be prizes for competition amongst members.

Whilst he was home, Joe Catron married Zoe May. The details of the wedding are not known at this point, nor is it known if Joe knew Zoe before the war. Wedding photographs appear to have been taken on 12 May 1916 – photographs that show Zoe carrying a posy of white flowers, family members and army friends. This was not a wedding that allowed for great planning, it was a typical wartime wedding – take today because tomorrow is not assured.

Joe and Zoe had a very short together because, as was very common with repatriated men, Joe had one intention – to pass fit and return to the front. Despite needing to wear a knee brace, he managed to persuade the medical officers that he was capable of resuming active duty. He embarked from Melbourne onboard HMAT Ayrshire on 3 July 1916.

It took nearly nine weeks for the Ayrshire to make the journey to England, and Joe finally arrived at Plymouth on 2 September. He marched into the 2nd Training Battalion at Perham Downs later the same day. He immediately cabled Zoe to let her know he had arrived safely – and he was keeping up a steady correspondence to her.

In a quick turnaround, Joe was soon on his way to France. He joined the 1st Australian Divisional Base Depot at Étaples on 25 September. Just six days later he was back with his battalion – and reunited with his brother, Bill.

On 10 January 1917, Ballarat’s Eddie Kerby was instructing men in bomb throwing when one of the trainees, Corporal W. F. Turner, slipped as he threw a bomb, which fell outside the bomb pit. The subsequent blast caught Eddie, who was standing about 12-yards away. He had only time to call out, “Lie down” before the detonation. A fragment of the bomb hit Eddie in the left eye, and, whilst no fault was apportioned to the instructors for the accident, the eventual loss of his eye would finish his active military career.

As a result of the accident, Joe Catron was promoted as temporary captain of A Company on 9 February.
On 3 March, Lieutenant Bill Catron was leading men through a captured German trench in the Flers sector, when a trip wire exploded a booby-trap in a dugout. Bill and four other men were killed instantly in the blast. Joe was one of the first to learn of his brother’s death.

Unfortunately, grief is a luxury that cannot be afforded on the battlefield. Joe was required to maintain his composure for the sake of his men.
His temporary rank was confirmed on 16 May, with news of his promotion to captain.

The 20 September 1917 was to prove a significant moment in the life of the young officer. As the Allies launched the first stage of the Third Battle of Ypres – the Battle of Menin Road – the 8th Battalion approached the line at Zillebeke, southeast of the shattered remains of Ypres. Heavy rain that morning had already made the ground slushy and delays slowed the progress of the 8th past the point known as Clapham Junction. Despite this, the men performed valiantly and achieved their objectives. However, it was the performance of Joe Catron that was to have a significant influence on the outcome.

Major-General Harold Bridgwood Walker was so impressed by Joe’s contribution on 20 September, he personally recommended him for the Distinguished Service Order.

‘…This officer displayed great gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his Company to the final objective. He showed great skill in selecting positions and cheered his men on with the consolidation under heavy shell fire. While the consolidation was in progress, he made personal reconnaissance forward. I attribute the success of the operation in great measure to his courage and thoughtfulness…’
The award was changed to the Military Cross and was passed for conferment on 28 September 1917. Not bad for a soldier who was effectively working on one good leg!

This was to prove a significant month in another more personal way – news that Zoe had given birth to their first child must have proved a poignant moment for Joe. Their daughter, Virginia May Catron, was born at Nurse Ward’s Private Hospital in Brunswick on 24 September 1917.

In recognition of his valuable contribution to the Battle of Menin Road, Joe was immediately granted leave to England and he departed on 27 September. This meant that he missed the 8th Battalion’s continued fighting during the Battle of Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October.

When he returned from leave on 14 October, the 8th Battalion was resting behind the lines at Reninghelst. The weather was fine and, with the success of the battles behind them, the men were in fine spirits.

There were, however, gaps in the ranks where friends and comrades had once been. One in particular, was Sebastopol’s Perce Bawden, who was killed in action at Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October 1917. Joe signed his name to the following letter (along with Privates Norman Cooper and Percy Robins) that was forwarded to Perce’s widow.
‘…We miss our comrade greatly, for he was a general favourite in the company, and our constant companion wherever we went, but we fully realise how much greater is yours and his little boy’s loss.

Perce was constantly thinking of home and in us he made confidants, thus enabling us to write with deeper feelings. He was killed in action quite close to us, on the morning of 4th October, while nobly standing to his machine gun under heavy enemy fire, and died without suffering. A nice grave now marks the spot where he lies on the summit of the hill we won, which in itself will ever stand as a monument to fallen heroes like our late dear friend. In addition a neat cross, suitably inscribed, marks his resting place…’

As often seems the case, men who return from leave frequently suffer casualty soon after. On 29 October, Joe was in the frontline at ANZAC Ridge – a desolate, featureless, miserable muddy moonscape – when the German artillery launched a particularly intense gas shell bombardment. The mustard gas that was used had the potential to cause catastrophic injuries, however, Joe was lucky to avoid major damage. He was eventually forced to seek medical treatment on 5 November, and was sent by the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance to the 1st Australian Divisional Rest Station. After four days, Joe was able to return to his unit.

Joe’s time with the AIF was about to end as he prepared to embark on a new and challenging role. On 28 November, he was transferred to England after accepting a commission in the Indian Army.

A trip to India via Egypt and Italy followed in January 1918. By March, he was well settled with his new unit at Bareilly, 250 kilometres east of Delhi.
‘…India, 14/3/17—
I am sending you some snaps of our regiment. I thought some of them may be interesting tor 'N.O.W.' The Regiment I am in is composed of Gurkhas from the Kumaru Ranges, of top of the Himalayas. They are thick-set chaps and look very much like Japs. We have just been re-named Kumaru Rifles, as the men from this district did fine work in France, and men from all Gurkha Regiments who came from the Kumaru Ranges have been collected together to form the Regiment.

They are very proud of the felt hat like the Australians, as every other Indian Regiments wear turbans, so naturally the Gurkha is proud of it. They are also very fond of the kukri, a large knife carried on a belt hanging from the hip. It is a curved affair about 18 inches long and 3 inches wide. They believe in drawing blood every time they draw their kukri.

There is a kind of ceremony held at different times, and the new men in the Regiment have to cut a buffalo's head off with one slash of the kukri, and all white officers have to cut a goat's head off in one. They are very pleased if the Sahib succeeds. All who fail have their faces smeared in blood.

After this is over, they have a feast. They would sooner have a kukri than a bayonet. We have just been relieved from the Frontier, and now have to train hard, as we leave for Mesopotamia or Palestine very shortly. The Frontier very nice and also very interesting, as there is always a going on.
After the war we are going to make a new station right over the Himalayas on the next range past Ranikhet. It is a great big game shooting spot and plenty of fishing. One good thing we will not be troubled with the heat, as we will be too high up and on the next ridge snow is always on the ground and there is a glacier coming down the range about ten miles away.

Here, there is a nice club, and polo, tennis and golf, etc every day, and pig sticking Saturdays and Sundays. Pig-sticking is good fun. You go out in parties, and when a pig is put up you race for him and stick him with the lance. He always makes for the horse when you get near him. If you miss he rips the horse open with his tusks and down you come. He hasn't much chance of hurting you on the ground as the other chaps are always near. We had two horses ripped open last Sunday.

Our second in command is an Australian who left Australia years ago to go through Sandhurst. Major Holderness is his names. Regards to all in Geelong. Address J. Catron, MC 1A, Kumaru Rifles, India…’
During the final months of the war, Joe took part in campaigns in Mesopotamia (Iraq) and Palestine. He would be decorated for bravery, receiving a Bar to his Military Cross, in the former and was wounded in action for a third time (on 19 September 1918) in the latter.

Joe certainly hadn’t been forgotten in Ballarat either. When the Roll of Honour was unveiled at the Humffray Street State School on 26 July 1919, Lieutenant Norm Dalton, who was then the secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, was called on to speak. Seeing William Catron (who was still a member of the teaching staff at the school) in the crowd, Dalton made special mention of William’s two sons. He pointed out that ‘…Captain Joe Catron had served throughout the course of the war, and was still away, with one knee in a bandage encasing an old wound, and if the bandage were removed he would lose the use of his leg. That was a typical case of a gritty Australian at the war…’

Although the war had ended, there were still pockets of unrest. The first year of peace saw a significant uprising in Egypt, when the people attempted to break away from British control. During the rising Joe Catron was named as commandant at Benha, a post he held from January through to August. He relinquished the post due to ill health and returned home to Australia for a well-earned rest.

On 18 August, Joe landed in Perth. He sent Zoe a telegram to let her know that he would be arriving in Melbourne onboard the Burma in less than a week.
When he arrived home, a special welcome dinner was held at his mother’s home in in Hawthorn. A similar function was then held in Geelong, where Mr and Mrs Robert Campbell hosted a small party in his honour.

There was a deal of interest in the return of a decorated officer who had served with distinction in the Indian Army – even his opinion on Australian standards of living was sought! He said, ‘…Australia, at the present moment, is the cheapest country in the world. In Egypt a very inferior pair of boots cost £2/10/. Khaki shirts are a guinea, and khaki handkerchiefs 2/6 each. (They can be purchased here at 2/9 the half-dozen.) Flats are as scarce in Egypt as over here — only they are much more expensive — a very small one costing five guineas a week. Cairo is getting back to its old stride again, and the Territories are being relieved by regular regiments. Tourists are flocking there, as elsewhere, in thousands, Americans being in the lead, and the officers are bringing their wives over from England again…’

His experiences in the Indian Army were also outlined in the article to the left of this page .

It was announced at the time that Joe had taken the steps to extend his time with the Indian Army, having signed on for the minimum of 15-years. He planned to take Zoe to England, before returning to Cairo, where he was to be stationed for 12-months. The intention was that they would then make their home in the Indian hill country. However, when he returned to Egypt, Zoe did not accompany him – their plans had obviously changed. He spent a year with the Army of the Black Sea, and in May 1922, when he was stationed with the Indian Army in Constantinople, he was singled out for special mention.

On 14 October 1921, Joe arrived back in Melbourne having made the voyage from Port Said onboard the Konigin Luise.

Joe had returned to Constantinople with his small family, when his father became very ill with an acute attack of Bright’s disease. He died at St John of God Hospital in Ballarat on 24 April 1922. It seems possible that his father’s sudden death may have contributed to Joe’s decision to retire from the Indian Army.

The Catrons arrived in Brisbane on 11 October 1922, having sailed from Colombo onboard the Ormonde. Returning to Geelong, Joe visited his old rowing club. He expressed delight that Corio Bay had advanced so rapidly, and, in spite of not having rowed for eight years, he went out for a row with one of the trial fours. It was also noted that he held the honour of being the first president of the ANZAC (Gallipoli) rowing club.

Initially, Joe and Zoe made their home with Joe’s mother, Emily Catron, at 61 Northcote Road, Armadale. It was there that their son, William Alan, was born on 5 March 1923, named in honour of their brothers – William Catron and Alan May.
Whilst Joe was pursuing new career opportunities, the family, including Emily, moved to a new home in Latham Street, Seaford.

Towards the end of 1927, Joe applied for the position as manager of the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Station. When he was not selected for the role, the State Secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ League called foul and accused the government minister of rigging the outcome. The acrimonious incident was played out in the newspapers.

‘…"BEST MAN CHOSEN" FOR LAKE TYERS JOB
No "Rigging," Says Dr. Argyle
R.S.L. ALLEGATIONS RESENTED BY MINISTER
The Chief Secretary (Dr. Argyle) expressed resentment today at the statement made by the
State Secretary of the Returned Soldiers' League (Mr L. W. Joyce) yesterday that the appointment of manager of the Lake Tyers Aboriginal station was "cut and dried," and "rigged" by political wire-pullers.
Dr Argyle also declared that there was not the slightest justification for Mr Joyce's assertion that eminently suitable returned soldiers were not given the slight consideration. Captain J. A. Newman, Dr Argyle said, was selected because of his special qualifications for a special position. Due consideration had been given to the application of Major J. E. T. Catron, an Australian-born ex Indian Army officer, who had served with the A.I.F. in the great war. It was not a question of Major Catron's war service, the value and distinction of which he did not for a moment question, but of fitness for the managership of Lake Tyers station. There were 230 applicants.

PREFERENCE TO SOLDIERS
Before he had come on the scene as President of the Aborigines' Protection Board, the number had been reduced to six. As two of the six lived in distant parts of the Commonwealth it was not thought advisable to bring them to Melbourne for an interview.

The other four had been interviewed and Captain Newman had been selected. As a returned soldier himself, he had always taken care that preference was given to returned soldiers when they had qualifications for a job equal, or almost equal, to the best qualified of non-soldier candidates. For this particular post ho had no hesitation in saying that he would have turned down the most distinguished soldier that had served in the Great War if he did not think that he was suitable.

As to "rigging," there were no "political wire-pullers." The Aborigines Board comprised two members of the Country Party of the Legislative Assembly (Sir John Bowser and Mr Lind), two of the Labor Party Messrs Bailey and Bond), one Liberal (Mr Everard), one Nationalist (Dr. Argyle). Mrs Bon (who was too ill to attend) and the Under Secretary (Mr W. P. Heathershaw), who had no politics.
"CHARGES ABSURD"
The charge of "rigging" and "cutting and drying" were absurd. Granted that the Soldiers" League was entitled to an explanation, there was no justification for the abusive and intemperate language Mr Joyce had employed. The Under Secretary (Mr W. P. Heathershaw). who was present when Dr. Argyle spoke, said that the Board's only desire was to pick the best of the applicants to manage the station.
Major Catron was one of 15 first selected from 230 applicants. The number had been then reduced to six, and Major Catron was not in that six. Captain Newman had been superintendent of the training ship John Murray. He had tried to enlist three times but the committee of the training ship had objected to his going, particularly as he was doing good work by also training naval ratings for the war. It was ascertained today from the Education Department that Major Catron, who had been a temporary teacher, had recently been placed on the permanent staff…’

After joining the education department – following the Catron teaching tradition – Joe was posted to the Murraydale State School near Swan Hill in 1928. The following year, they returned to Seaford and Joe’s new school at Skye in Lyndhurst South. He held this position for seven years.

In September 1930, it was announced that Joe had been targeted as a candidate for the council elections in the Seaford Riding. The following article shows the esteem in which he was held in the area.
‘…EXTRAORDINARY ELECTION SEAFORD RIDING. BRILLIANT WAR VETERAN AND SCHOLAR TO NOMINATE. MAJOR J. E. T. CATRON, M.C. AND BAR, I.A.(RETD.), INDUCED TO STAND.

With the resignation of Cr. R. F. Miles, a vacancy has been caused in the Seaford riding and. much interest is being aroused on all sides as to possible candidates for the forthcoming extraordinary election. A number of the largest ratepayers of Seaford have approached Major Catron with a very strong petition to nominate for the vacancy.

For a number of years Major Catron has been approached by both parties at election times to contest various seats, but to date had not seen his way clear to do so. However, the representations on this occasion were so strong and embraced all sections of the community that he felt it his duty to offer himself as a candidate at the poll.

In an interview this week Major Catron informed our representative that, whilst being, one of the largest ratepayers in the riding, he has, with the exception of two years, been a resident at Seaford since his return from abroad and therefore has a good knowledge of the affairs of the shire generally, and considerable experience in administrative and municipal affairs.

A glance at the splendid record of this distinguished soldier will convince even the most sceptical that he would be a representative capable of taking his place at the council table to further the interests of the Seaford riding. He left Australia in 1914 and fought in Egypt, Gallipoli, France and Palestine, being wounded on three occasions. He gained the Military Cross twice, and was also recommended for the Distinguished Service Order on two occasions.

In 1918 he transferred to the Indian Army as lieutenant. He was promoted to captain in three months, and in two years was second in command of a battalion of 1000 men. In three years, he was officer commanding the battalion enroute from Turkey to India. In Egypt he was chosen as Commandant Benha – one of the most important districts in Egypt with a population of half a million.

During his service as Commandant and British representative he had a wonderful opportunity to further his already extensive studies of municipal national administration in countries where municipal affairs are conducted on strong lines.

Whilst at the Melbourne University he studied modern political institution and political economy. He also holds the Victorian Education Department's first-class primary teachers' certificate, and in his examinations abroad secured 98 per cent in law and administration. He holds the rank of major, and has qualified for rank of lieutenant-colonel.

An extract from the Melbourne "Herald" in January last quotes Major Catron "as an Australian-born ex Indian Army officer of outstanding qualification. He won the M.C. at Polygon Wood and was recommended for the D.S.O. in another engagement.

In General Allenby's last advance in Palestine he was awarded a bar to his M.C. He had then transferred to the Indian Army, and had been so outstanding as a leader that within two years he had been promoted to the command of the 1st Battalion Kumoan Rifles.
During the Egyptian risings he was chosen for his tact and personality to command the Benha district, the largest and most troublesome centre. On his voluntary retirement from the Indian Army, British generals said of him in their confidential reports that he was a born leader, possessed of abnormal coolness and gallantry, popular, cheerful, and that he had great tact. In addition he was at all times abstemious, had a high sense of duty, and was a generous and kindly officer.

Major Catron is one of the illustrious veterans mentioned in that wonderful war record, "Bean's Official History of the War," for distinguished services on Gallipoli. He has also taken a keen interest in all forms of sport, having been an oarsman and runner, and successful in securing several amateur boxing and wrestling championships, as well as the Royal Life Saving Society's bronze medallion.

A strong committee has been formed to secure Major Catron's return as the representative of the riding. Further particulars of the campaign will appear in our next issue…’

Despite his remarkable profile, when the extraordinary election was held on 2 October 1930, Joe was defeated by Mr W. R. J. Klauer, but he claimed to have enjoyed the experience and had made many friends.

Still intent on contributing to the community, Joe was at the forefront of re-establishing the Life Saving Club at Seaford. The announcement was made on 28 February 1931, and Joe was elected as its first President.

Towards the end of the decade, Joe was appointed headmaster of the St Paul’s Training School for Boys at Newhaven on Phillip Island. Working with delinquent boys gave Joe the perfect outlet for his military training and his capacity as a teacher. Whilst the tenure was considered an onerous one, Joe proved he was a fine advocate for these troubled children.

The outbreak of World War II immediately put a halt to Joe Catron’s teaching career. He enlisted at South Melbourne on 18 October 1940 and was posted to the 3rd Garrison Battalion at Queenscliff with the rank of major. On 28 March 1941, Joe was appointed acting commanding officer of the unit, a significant position in the coastal defence system.

William Alan Catron followed his father’s example, enlisting in the Royal Australian Air Force on 19 July 1941. He was serving with 27 Operational Training Unit out of Scropton in Derbyshire, England, when he was killed in an aircraft accident on 30 January 1943.
Virginia Catron served with the Australian Army Nursing Service, enlisting at Katherine in the Northern Territory on 23 October 1943. She resigned her position shortly after her marriage to Chaplain Godfrey Kircher.

Joe Catron continued serving with the 3rd Garrison, being promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and received confirmation as the unit’s commanding officer on 15 October 1944.

Upon returning to civilian life, Joe took on an even more challenging role as teacher at the Royal Park Industrial School. It was a dark and challenging position, as can be seen in this feature piece written by a “special correspondent” for the Melbourne Herald in March 1946.

Reforming Boys In Old Bushrangers' Gaol
Bushrangers and diggings' murderers once occupied the cells in which the boys at Castlemaine are locked each night, and in which they eat each meal alone because they have no common dining-room. It is a standing disgrace to Victoria that reformatory work should be housed in buildings long abandoned as obsolete for the treatment of tough adult criminals.
YET, in spite of the grim surroundings, the most thorough re-education work I have seen is being carried out at Castlemaine for boys who have fallen into crime.

Pentridge has nothing worse than Castlemaine's disused underground punishment cells absolutely dark, scarcely big enough for a man to lie down. Men sentenced to them were known to have hidden pins about their clothing, thrown them away, and searched for them hour after hour in the darkness to save their sanity. Nowadays these cells are not used.

Outside this grim old place the reformatory has a branch establishment — a poultry and general farm, a few miles from the town. Quarters for the fowls are better designed and more up-to-date than the buildings in which the reformatory lads live under an honour system.

The boys, who range from 17 to 21, are divided into four grades, according to their capacity for re-education. The school could teach most outside schools a lesson in individual education.

In the senior boys' section at Royal Park receiving depot the gloomy, bare, gaol-like old building in which boys are placed on remand or conviction by children's courts, is being rebuilt to permit the separation of regular offenders from lads with no criminal background.

The school in the section is one of the best I have seen in any institution, although the schoolroom is too cramped, old, poorly equipped.

The pupils include bad boys with long police records, but the school has no punishment.

Their teacher Is Lt.-Col. J. Catron. Military Cross and Bar, hero of two world wars, with a record of service also in India.

There are no ordinary class lessons. The teacher turns on the radio news and the lads talk with
him about the bits that interest them— world events, music, musicians, composers. Most are there for stealing, shop-breaking; house-breaking, bicycle stealing.

MENTAL TESTS
ALL are given mental tests. Mr Catron finds only about one in five reaches normal
intelligence standard.

Eleven boys, aged 15 to 16, who had been there only a few weeks, were in the classroom when I called. All had been convicted of house-breaking or stealing. Most significant was that only two had come from private homes. All the rest were from child care institutions.

The reformatory has a scout troop that goes bush on Saturday afternoons, and occasionally for week-end camping trips. In a swimming pool within the walls they learn swimming and life-saving.

The Investigating committee in 1944 recommended a completely new reformatory school, on at least 320 acres of good farming land, and suggested that land in the vicinity of Tankerton, French Island, be inspected.

It recommended buildings of villa design, arranged in seven houses to accommodate thirty youths in each; a central administration block with schoolrooms, recreation rooms and a hall for religions services, entertainments and gymnasium; well-equipped workshops for trade training; a central kitchen, dining room, laundry, hospital and other buildings; and at least three playing areas for house competitions.
So far as I can discover, nothing has been done to implement this plan.

Alterations and additions I saw under way at Castlemaine did not suggest the Government was thinking of abandoning the place in a hurry…’
After a life of incredible service to community, country and Commonwealth, Joe Catron retired to a seemingly quiet life with Zoe in their home in Park Street, Seaford.

However, his belief in education and reforming those who had been through the prison system saw him continue to advocate on their behalf. In April 1952, Joe was still sharing his expertise and ideas on the subject.

‘…SIR.— The comments of Mr Mohr, SM, on the action of the authorities in turning a man out of gaol with 5/, are timely. I have handled more than 1000 men supposed to be bad types, and most of them made good. As many people who leave gaols are not in a state of mind for religion and need practical help, may I suggest that a society be formed with members who would in absolute confidence, give these lonely people advice or/and work. Many men who do long sentences have been in gaol for a bad start in youth or through being created with less determination than others. When they come out they are very lonely and ready to be really grateful for help. I know, because I spend my spare time and money helping them. Some may try to put something over, but the great majority who are mentally fit, play the game. Could Rotary help in each town?

—JOE CATRON, Park Street, Seaford…’
Sadly, Joe wasn’t able to see this next idea through to a conclusion. The veteran of two World Wars died at Frankston on 8 August 1952. Joe Catron, who had touched many lives during his all too brief 60 years, was remembered simply as “one of nature’s gentlemen.”

Bar to MC 

Capt. Joseph Edward Thomas Catron, M.C., Gen. List and 1st Bn. 50th Kumaon Rif., I.A. (Egypt).
For distinguished gallantry on September 19th, 1918, north of Arsuf. This officer, having personally reconnoitred the enemy position the previous day, led the battalion to the starting point for the attack and pointed out the several objectives to the other officers.
He then led his own company in the attack with the utmost gallantry and stormed the first position, where he fell badly wounded by a bomb, and cheering his men on. Over 100 prisoners were captured by his company alone

The London Gazette
Publication date: 29 July 1919
Supplement: 31480
Page: 9691