Military History

Withnell joined the newly raised 28th Battalion on 28.6.1915.
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Geelong’ A68 for Egypt 5.6.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 7th Infantry Brigade, 28th Battalion, 3rd Reinf.
Withnell disembarked at Suez in July 1915 with the 28th Battalion. Withnell trained for 2 months before joining the MEF at Zeitoun. He embarked for Gallipoli and landed 10.9.1915. The 28th Battalion reinforced and relieved the Australian and New Zealand Divisions that had been fighting since April. The 28th Battalion was evacuated from Gallipoli in December and taken to Mudros 29.12.1915. Withnell embarked per HT ‘Ansonia’ from Mudros for Alexandria 10.1.1916. He joined the BEF at Alexandria and embarked for France 16.3.1916. He disembarked at Marseilles 21.3.1916. The 28th Battalion took part in their first major battle at Pozieres between July and August 1916. In November, the 28th Battalion was engaged in the battle of Flers, in appalling conditions of rain and mud. The attacking troops were slowed by deep mud and unable to keep up with the Allied artillery barrage, making them vulnerable to German fire.(AWM Battle of Flers) Withnell was reported missing in action in France 16-18.11.1916. In April 1917, a postcard was received by the Red Cross from Withnell, confirming he had been taken as a POW at Walencourt 16.11.1916. Initially he was held at Cambrai, then transferred to Havrincourt Wood. The POWs with Withnell suffered terrible conditions and starvation- of 250 captured only 30 survived. Withnell was transferred to Dulmen. Following Armistice, he was taken to Rotterdam, Holland, (West Australian Newspaper 27.12.1918) then transferred by HT ’Hunts Green’ to England 7.12.1918. On arrival in England, he was taken to Ripon in Yorkshire 8.12.1918. After 3 months of medical treatment and rest, he was discharged for return to Australia.
Embarked Portland UK for Australia per ‘Euripides’ 3.3.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 21.4.1919.
Discharged 13.6.1919.
Final Rank Private, 28th Infantry Battalion. AIF.
Medical Condition NK (POW)
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes ‘Myarie’ was built by William George Withnell in East St Guildford. He was the eldest son of John and Emma Withnell of Roebourne and later Guildford. John Edward was the son of W.G. Withnell and was born at ’Myarie’  in Guildford. He spent his childhood there. After his father’s death, his mother moved to Cottesloe Beach .' Myaree' was the family home of  his childhood and school years.
Photo  Withnell at Dulmen. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection AWM P0236.089
             HMAT 'Geelong' leaving outer harbour SA. Photographer unknown, photograph source  SLSA PRG 280/1/15/464
             Gallipoli, Soldiers at the ready in the firing lineat Shrapnel Gully 1915. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H00195A
             Ruined gardens at Pozieres 1916. Official British War photograph, photograph source AWM EZ0097
             View towards Flers early 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00209

 AWM E00508

Information Source
AWM E00508. Withnell POW at Dumen. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Australian War Memorial Pictorial Collection: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E00508/
AWM H00195A. Gallipoli, Soldiers at the ready in the firing lineat Shrapnel Gully 1915. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memoria
AWM EZ0097. Ruined gardens at Pozieres 1916. Official British War photograph, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00209. View towards Flers early 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00508  POWs at Dulmen. Photgrapher unknown, photgraph sourced from the pictorial Collection of the Australia War Memorial   https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E00508/
AWM Embarkation Rolls John Edward Withnell
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B245,5 Withnell J E
SLSA PRG 280/1/15/464. HMAT 'Geelong' leaving outer harbour SA. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the State library of South Australia
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

‘Myarie’, 4 James St. Guildford, WA.

Associated Images