Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Arthur Ernest EMMERSON

Military Medal

Recommendation:-

'At MORLANCOURT on night 28/29th July 1918, he showed conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During the day prior to our attack on the enemy system trenches this N.C.O. worked all day preparing lines for the attack and during the progress of same worked under very heavy shell and Machine gun fire, repairing the breaks. He patrolled the lines and largely assisted in keeping the communications. This N.C.O. displayed the utmost disregard of personal danger. On night 29/30th when a counter-attack was expected and communication had to be kept at all costs, the enemy put down a heavy Gas shell barrage, and all lines back from front Line were cut. This N.C.O. immediately went out wearing Gas mask and with sandbags on his hands, repairing breaks made by Gas shells and in some cases standing over shell craters from which gas fumes were strongly rising. After being out 10 minutes communication was restored but by the time he had returned to Signal Dugout the lines had again been broken. He turned back and again patrolled and repaired lines. This work was rendered extremely difficult owing to the fact that Lance Corporal EMMERSON had to work with blistered hands (caused through soakage of gas through sandbags) and having to wear his Gas Mask continuously for 1 hour.'

The first correspondence from Arthur Emmerson following his enlistment appeared in the Echuca & Moama Advertiser and Farmer’s Gazette on the September 23, 1916.                                               WORSE THAN GALLIPOLI.

In a letter from the trenches in France, dated July 25, to Miss May Beer, Eyre-street, Echuca, Private Arthur Emmerson says:— "We had our first engagement with the enemy last week. It was terrible. Our artillery bombarded the enemy for several hours, and then we attacked their trenches, taking their first two lines, but had to retire later on. Our commanding officer, told us we had accomplished our object, but we paid very heavily for it, as we lost a terrible lot of men; but I am pretty well sure the Germans lost more. Some old chaps here who were right through the Gallipoli campaign said it was much worse than anything they ever had there. I could not tell you about any of the sights I saw, as they were too horrible, and I want to forget them, if such a thing is possible.                                         I was lucky myself, as I came through without a scratch, although I had some close shaves. We have a fairly rough time over here. I only had my clothes off three times in two weeks, and did not have a wash or a sleep for 56 hours, so you can guess what I felt like. Things are quiet here now, although a dozen big shells landed very close about an hour ago. I had not seen your brother Fred for some time, and went along this morning. The chaps in his section said he was with the Divisional Headquarters, so he is sure to be alright there."[1]

The next public news on Arthur’s experience at war came in the Bendigo Advertiser on October 15, 1917.  LCE-CPL SIG A.E. EMMERSON WOUNDED.

Mrs A. S Emmerson of Grattan Street, has been notified by the Defence department that her eldest son. Lance-Corporal Sig. Arthur E. Emmerson, has been wounded in France, and is now in the General Hospital, London, suffering from gunshot wound in the right arm. Lance-Corporal Emmerson enlisted in July, 1915. [2]

More favourable news was printed in the Bendigoian Newspaper in November 1918 under the heading: - 

SOLDIERS HONORED-LANCE-CORPORAL A. EMMERSON

Mrs. A. S. Emmerson, of 23 Grattan St has been advised that her son, L.-Cpl. A. Emmerson, has been awarded tho Military Medal. L.-Cpl. Emmerson enlisted on 9th July, 1915, and sailed with the 29th Battalion on 10th November, 1915. He has been wounded once. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a printer by Messrs. Bolton Bros.[3]

SERVICE DETAILS: 

Service Number: 27

Place of birth: Heathcote

Religion: Church of England

School: Central School, Bendigo

Occupation: Compositor

Address: 23 Grattan Street, Bendigo

Marital status: Single

Age at enlistment: 21

Next of kin:Mrs A. Emmerson, 23 Gratton Street, Bendigo

Enlistment date: 7 July 1915

Unit name: 29th Battalion, Signallers, 32nd Battalion

Embarked: HMAT A11 Ascanius on 10 November 1915

Final Rank: Lance Corporal

Fate: Returned to Australia 13 April 1919

Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 36
Date: 14 March 1919

'MORLANCOURT’ - At Mourlancourt, France July 28/29, 1918.

The town of Morlancourt, south of Albert, had been captured by the Germans during these Spring Offensives and it took several attempts to take it back. On the 29th of July, the 29th battalion fought in a minor attack at Morlancourt where Arthur undertook his brave action resulting in the Military Medal recommendation. These battles for Morlancourt played a key role in preparing troops for the major offensive at Hamel in the following weeks.[4]

Arthur was not be the only Bendigo soldier to be awarded  bravery medal on these days of fighting in late July 1918. Fellow 29th Battalion platoon leader Henry Clucas from Mt Korong Road, Eaglehawk would also be awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his actions at Morlancourt. 

[1] Echuca & Moama Advertiser and Farmer’s Gazette, September 23, 1916:  P.4
[2] Bendigo Advertiser on October 15, 1917. P.5
[3] Bendigoian Newspaper, November 14, 1918 P. 4
[4] Anzac to Amiens, C.E.W.Bean. Penguin Books.2014. P.468