Nepean Times (NSW)
14 October 1916
Penrith soldiers at the front, despite the strenuous and hardening operations at the seat of war (which would generally seem to be in a manner anti-pathetic to the softer sentiments) manifest a filial regard for their family circles and relatives. Such affinities are evidently fully possessed by Lieut Arthur Thompson, B Coy., 53rd Batt., 4th Brigade A.I.F., who, in writing his mother, Mrs C. J. Thompson, Jane Street, Penrith, under date 28th July, 1916, refers affectionately to Penrith and the Nepean, and contrasts the peaceful atmosphere of our town and district with the vastly different conditions — the turmoil and peril, etc.— prevailing at the war front. At time of writing Lieut Thompson was in hospital in France. He graphically describes the terrific fighting around Pozieres and on the Somme front generally in July, and details the manner in which he met with the casualty through which he became a patient in the Military Hospital. He says:
"I went to a 'Sniping' School for a few days early in July, and when I returned to my battalion I found they were billetted near the firing line, and the village near had been shelled by the enemy just before I got back. We moved into the firing line next day — on Sunday night that was (16th July) — and after our artillery had pounded the Hun positions a lot, we received word on the Wednesday morning following that we were to charge the enemy trenches that evening. The nearest German trenches were about 370 yards away.
All that day a heavy bombardment was kept up, and the shells were falling in hundreds. Some of our shells were blowing the enemy trenches away, and sometimes a shell would shift a bit of enemy trench as big as a large room. The place was a living hell. However, about 5.30 we scaled the parapet of our trenches, and started for the German lines. They opened on us with big guns, machine guns and rifle fire, mowing down our poor fellows; but we went right on, and reached the first German trench, drove them out, and took some prisoners; and then went right on again to their third line; but after getting there found we would have to retire, the fire being so sultry from every side. We eventually reached our own line the following morning, after fighting all night long.
The fortitude of our wounded was remarkable. One little corporal, I remember, named Cecil Harper, from Sydney, was brought in next morning covered with wounds, but he sat up smiling, and smoking a cigarette, as if he felt nothing. The following morning, while I was in a dug-out taking observations with another officer, a shell "lobbed" right on top of our shelter, and the whole concern fell on me, and that is how I came to be at this hospital, having been "shaken up" all over. I don't know what became of my poor mate, as nothing has been heard of him since.
On enquiry, I found that Oscar (Private Oscar Thompson, a brother of writer's) came through all right."
A later letter from Lieut. Thompson relates having seen his brother, who was then unwounded. Advices received later state that Private O Thompson has since been placed on the casualty list. Lieut A Thompson says he had been out to Boulogne, near which town the hospital is situated, being, he remarks, "right on the beach." He concludes with kindly references to friends at Penrith, and filial regards to his mother and family.
Soldier Identified: Lieutenant Arthur Oswald Thompson, Service No. 3459, 53rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, A.I.F. Returned to Australia, date unknown.
Brother: Private Oscar Norman Thompson, Service No. 2457, 56th Battalion, A.I.F. Returned to Australia, 1 April 1919.
See also (letters):
The shattered back gardens of the village of Pozieres, seen from the Pozieres-Bapaume road. In the distance on the far right is 'Gibraltar', the German fortified observation post. In the foreground are sandbags from an Australian trench that was dug in the first attack. Between 23 July and early September 1916, the 1st, 2nd and 4th Divisions between them launched 19 attacks on German positions in and around the ruins of Pozieres. (Courtesy: Australian War Memorial)
Sources:
- Soldiers' Letters (1916, October 14). Nepean Times (Penrith, NSW : 1882 - 1962), p. 5.
- The shattered back gardens of the village of Pozieres, seen from the Pozieres-Bapaume road. Australian War Memorial
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