Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Percival Reuben Carne, known as “Perse", was born in White Hills, the son of William & Jessica Augusta Carne, of 12 Lucan Street, Bendigo.   He was a Carpenter, and had previously been apprenticed with Messrs. Hume & Iser.    “Perse” was aged 28 years & 6 months, was a member of the Bendigo Rifle Club and had served 7 years in the 8th Australian Inf. Regt.    He was amongst the early volunteers for the Expeditionary Force, enlisting on 18.8.14.    The following day he left Bendigo for the Broadmeadows Camp.    He was allotted Service no. 775 and appointed to ‘G’ Company, 7th Battalion.   

Prior to embarking for overseas he was entertained by the members of the Bendigo Rifle Club and presented with a wristlet watch.   His photograph was taken, to be framed and hung in the club room. 

The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18 October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’.   Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids.   (6/12/14)     

In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized.   In the 7th Battalion ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies joined to form the new ‘D’ Company.      This meant that all the men from Northern Victoria were together in one Company.   

Percy was well-known for his expertise in Musketry.    He was selected as Sniper for the battalion.    He was also a keen photographer and sent photographic plates home to Bendigo.    Many of these were published in the Bendigonian although some of the plates had been damaged in transit.   

The 7th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915.   On April 30th the battalion re-organized and men were promoted in place of those who had been wounded or killed.   Percy Carne was appointed Lance Corporal. 

In May, Lieut.-General Sir W.R. Birdwood, in command of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, was asked to provide part of the Australian force to assist in a British offensive at Cape Helles.    The 2nd Australian Brigade, which included the 7th Battalion, was one of two brigades provided.    The 7th Battalion left Anzac and disembarked at ‘V’ Beach, Cape Helles, on May 6th.  The battalion moved forward on May 8th in what was later known as the “2nd Battle of Krithia” (8-11 May).   This battle achieved minimal gain and casualties were extremely high.    On May 14 Percival Reuben Carne & William Henry James were both promoted to Sergeant.   (Both men had been in the Bendigo Rifle Club. ) 

In a Letter, Carne wrote:  “James and myself are both alive and well, although we have both had narrow escapes.   The Australians behaved splendidly under fire, and were always amongst the first to reach the firing line.   Bendigo has lost a number of good men, and it will be a long time before they are forgotten.   Several vacancies have occurred lately amongst officers and non-coms.   W. James and myself have been appointed sergeants.   We have seen some shocking and heartrending sights lately, but they must be expected in attacking an entrenched enemy, especially when it is supported with artillery in good positions.   We now know what it means to advance under shrapnel, machine-gun, and rifle fire combined, and advanced upon positions which seemed going to certain death . . . .  We are now in the reserve lines resting and re-organising our companies.  . . .   Today we had a badly needed wash in the ocean, and it was a pleasure after having our clothes on for such a long time . . . ”   [Bendigo Advertiser.   June 23 1915]     The battalion returned to Anzac Cove on 17th May, 1915.   

On  June 12 the 7th Battalion was in Reserve at Steele’s Post. The downward slope behind Steele’s Post was directly overlooked by the Turks, who were in position on the higher ground.   Turkish riflemen made this area particularly unsafe, so a 7th Battalion work party was detailed to construct a sniper’s post.   The snipers were selected from amongst the finest shots in the battalion.

P. R. Carne.  Letter: “A man was selected from each company.   I had the honour to represent D Company.   This made a party of five, including an extra man in charge.”   [Bendigonian  6th January, 1916]   

On July 2nd the 7th Battalion received orders to relieve the 8th Bn in the trenches at Steele’s Post.  Most days were spent repairing the trenches and continually sniping at the Enemy’s loopholes.   They repaired the trenches during the night.    They were also fired upon by the Enemy Howitzer.   

The strain of the constant bombardment, and explosions which buried men, was beginning to show.   Medics reported that the men were very ‘nervy’.   One of the early casualties was Percival Reuben Carne, who had experienced a number of near misses, including burial by shell explosion.  He was sent to hospital, suffering from Shock, Sickness, and ear trouble. (17/7/15)   

Carne: ”You will no doubt wonder at the address.   I am not wounded, but am suffering from a nervous breakdown, so the doctor ordered me away for a spell.   The strain of the past three months under trying circumstances, together with increased responsibilities, has been a bit too much for me. . . . . .. Since landing I can tell you our boys have had a stiff time holding on to positions and getting shelled every day.   We take it in turns to get buried by the big shells.   About a fortnight ago it was my turn to get buried up under the earth dislodged by a ‘Jack Johnson.’   I have also dug my mates out more than once.    . . . ."     [Bendigonian  Sept 16, 1915]

He rejoined the battalion on 5/3/16 and went on to serve on the Western Front.

He was Wounded (2nd occasion) in 1916, sustaining a Gun Shot wound to his right arm; Promoted 2nd Lieut  (15/10/17);  Attached 1st ADBD, Havre, as Assistant Musketry Officer (30/11/17);  Appointed Divisional Musketry Officer (26/3/18) and Promoted Lieut (15/5/18).    He RTA on 9/8/19   

“The First Lot.   7th Battalion.   The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone