Dedicated to the memory of 1005 CQMS Leslie Milo Forsyth, Military Medal, 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company. On 13 November 1915 he enlisted into the then 3 Company, Mining Corps. He was a single man aged 27 and a blacksmith in the Tasmanian Mt Lyell mines. At the time of his Attestation, Les was 5ft 7¼in (1.71m) tall, and weighed 12 stone (76.2kg). He had a dark complexion, blue eyes and black hair. A medical examination at Ross, Tasmania on 16 November found him to be fit for active service and he was appointed to the “Miners 3 Coy” on the same day at Claremont. Right: 3/ATC shoulder patch badge supplemented by the metal number worn over the patch

The underground skills of those miners, coupled with their ability to undertake any engineering tasks from making roads to building bridges, from constructing dugouts to mine clearance and, on more than one occasion, having to stand shoulder to shoulder with infantry, rifle in hand, demonstrates that the tunnelling companies have to have been amongst the most multiskilled and flexible units of the First World War. ¹

Caveat: The majority of the information about Les' war is taken from the 3^rd Australian Tunnelling Company's (3ATC) War Diary. What is recorded will give a flavour of Les' experiences. Any direct mention of his name is highlighted in blue.

Background

In August 1915, Tannatt William Edgeworth David, professor of geology from Sydney University, and Ernest Skeats, professors of geology from Melbourne University, proposed Australia provide its own military mining and tunnelling companies. This was accepted by the British Secretary of State for the Colonies. These would be units of 300 men, the size of a tunnelling company. By October 1915 the proposed Mining Corps began recruiting mining engineers, surveyors with underground experience and NCOs and sappers with experience of working underground. ²

In chilly and remote Tasmania was Leslie Jack COULTER of Gormanston, recorded as a draughtsman in the 1914 Electoral Roll, was employed by the Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Company. However he was a graduate of the Ballarat School of Mines and in 1909 he was on their staff. 2nd Lieutenant LJ Coulter arrived at Claremont Camp with the 4th Section of Tasmanian miners, possibly from the 360 men who enlisted from the Mt. Lyell mines (Blainey p.222), to bring the strength of No. 3 Company to 15 officers and 349 other ranks. As a 26 year old Lieutenant and later as Captain COULTER, he commanded No. 3 Company. Later, Major COULTER DSO, MID(2) commanded 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company until killed in action 28 June 1917 on Hill 70. The Tasmanian contingent may have included perhaps No. 903 Spr. CROTTY A, who was gassed 02 April 1918. Right: Major Jack Coulter in 1917

Left: Coulter's signature dated 08 November 1916 inside a book of French tunnels plans, including Hill 70 Source: Robin Sanderson from his grandfather's papers

In December 1915, the Mining Corps concentrated in its own training camp at Casula near Liverpool on the western outskirts of Sydney. Here recruits were tested for their mining skills and their fitness to undertake tunnelling work. Between December 1915 and February 1916, those accepted began a specific training course of intensive military drill and specific mining work. 3 On 18 December 1915, Les was appointed provisional Corporal. Left: Troops march past at Claremont Camp, Tasmania, circa 1914 Source: Australian War Memorial (AWM) H16100

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Above: Australia Mining Corps Casula Camp, Liverpool, November 1916

Above: Miners Battalion parade at Casula Camp 1916 Source: Tunnellers research website (Accessed: April 2016)

Above: Modern map locating Liverpool, NSW, the location of Casula Camp

The Mining Corps was equipped as an Australian Corps of Engineers but distinguished by a purple shoulder 'T' to distinguish them as tunnellers. Sometimes the 'T' interpreted a 'tourist'.⁴

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Departing overseas

By mid-February 1916 the Australian Mining Corps with 55 officers, 1250 other ranks, their stores and mining equipment was ready to depart for war. On 19 February 1916, the Corps and its first draft of reinforcements left Casual Camp and marched down The Domain in central Sydney to assemble on the Royal Agricultural Showground. On Monday 21 February the Sydney Morning Herald reported the Miners Battalion taking ship to Melbourne.⁵

A civic parade in the Domain, Sydney on Saturday 19 February 1916, 'was Sydney's public and official farewell to the Miner's Battalion of which much has been heard. . . . a large crowd of relations and friends of the departing Miners lined the four sides of the parade ground, the saluting base being at the harbour end.' Sixty police and 100 Garrison Military Police were on hand 'to keep the crowds within bounds. The scene was an inspiring one. On the extreme right flank, facing the saluting base, were companies of the Rifle Club School; next came a detachment of the 4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, then the bands of the Light Horse, Liverpool Depot, and the Miners’ Battalion on the left, rank upon rank. In the march past the Miners' battalion held pride of place, moving as men whose physique was perfect, whose limbs were supple and who had a just pride in their regiment. It was remarked on all sides that their faces and arms were brown as their uniforms as they swung past in long lines of easy quick step round after round of applause greeted them.' . 6

Les embarked from Quay 1 at Woolloomooloo, Sydney with the Australian Mining Corps on 20 February 1916 on board HMAT A38 Ulysses. (Left) Ulysses arrived in Melbourne, Victoria on 22 February and the Miners were camped at Broadmeadows while additional stores and equipment were loaded onto Ulysses. On 1 March, another parade was held at the Broadmeadows camp, the Mining’ Corps being inspected by the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth Military Forces.

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On 22 February 1916, Lt. Col. FEWTRILL led the Miners' Corps past the Victorian Federal Parliament House, where the Governor-General, Sir Donald Munro FERGUSON took the salute. The following day the Melbourne daily, The Argus, commented that the Miners 'who in civilian life followed various occupations, possess a robustness that does not fail to create a striking impression.' The Mining Corps comprised 1303 members at the time they embarked with a Headquarters of 40; No.1 Company – 390; No.2 Company – 380; No.3 Company – 392, and 101 members of the 1st Reinforcements. Source: The Argus newspaper 23 February 1916

An eventful journey to Hazebrouck

Departing Melbourne on 1 March, Ulysses sailed to Fremantle, Western Australia, where a further 53 members of the Corps were embarked. As Ulysses cleared Fremantle it was forced off course by the inbound HMAT Indarra she became lodged fast on an uncharted rocky prominence. Damage to the hull necessitated the use of pumps as the forward hold filled with 2m of water through the popped plates for 40 feet (12m) in length and, although there was a gap in the outside plate, the inner bilge plates were not punctured. Attempts by tugs failed to pull Ulysses free and major repairs were necessary. ⁷ With the troops shuttled to shore, Lieutenant Alexander Sanderson, a concrete specialist and Mining Corps officer, after donning a diving helmet, ⁸ devised a temporary concrete plug strong enough to take the ship to Alexandria. The men on board nicknamed her ‘Useless’. The Miners were off- loaded and sent to the Blackboy Hill Camp, 25km inland from Fremantle, where further training was conducted. After a delay of about a month due to Ulysses requiring repairs the Mining Corps sailed for the European Theatre on 1 April 1916.

After a voyage of almost three weeks the ship arrived at Suez on 22 April and the canal to the Mediterranean. On the morning of 25 April 1916, Ulysses berthed in Alexandria where the corps paraded through the city and were given some shore leave. ⁹ There the captain was reluctant to take Ulysses out of the Suez Canal because he felt the weight of the ship made it impossible to manoeuvre in the situation of a submarine attack. The Mining Corps was transhipped to the ex-Cunarder HMAT B1 Ansonia for the final legs to Marseilles, France, via Valetta, Malta. After a gale driven voyage and 75 days out of Sydney the corps arrived at Marseilles on 5 May 1916. There was little time to see any sights before they were entrained in 47 railway trucks and carriages for Hazebrouck, a major staging post on the British Western front. ¹⁰ The journey passed through Lyons to Abbeville, bypassing Paris at Versailles, to Boulogne and Calais before turning inland to St. Omer, arriving to Hazebrouck on 8 May 1916. ¹¹The Mining Corps established their headquarters at 80 rue de Merville with the equipment located in a meat market. ¹²

However, the corps, in not conforming to the British structure and command, had to restructure by the end of the month. So was formed the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company, 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company and 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company (3ATC). The later was commanded by Major Leslie Coulter with Captain Alexander Sanderson being transferred from the Mining Corps’ Headquarter Company and was allocated to First Army and XI Corps in the area of Fromelles. Now the 'T' shoulder patches was supplemented by the appropriate metal number worn over the patch. In June 1916 the 6th Australian Tunnelling Company was absorbed by 3ATC.

There they were organised into four sections - No. 1-4 and HQ. In 1918 the Sections were named A-D. For the remainder of 1916, Les worked with number 4 Section of 3ATC in Sectors at Wytschaete, Fromelles, Laventie-Fauquissart, Chapigney and Tilleloy. During 1917 the unit worked on various projects at Loos, Hill 70, Arras, Lens and Vermelles. Left: 3ATC shoulder patch

End notes

1. Johns, p.ix
2. Finlayson 2018, p.15
3. ibid, p.16
4. ibid, p.16
5. ibid p.38
6. Sydney Morning Herald 23 February 1916
7. Finlayson p.41
8. ibid p.42
9. ibid p.47
10. ibid. p.49
11. ibid, p.50
12. ibid, p.54

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Les at Fromelles with No. 4 Section

At this time 3ATC was divided into four Sections numbered 1-4. The Appendix to the War Diary for July 1916, page 21, (Accessed: 15 April 2016) includes Lieut. B Priestman, OC Les' No.4 Section of 3ATC report on the push-pipe blow at Red Lamp on 19 July 1916. A push-pipe involved boring through no-man's-land towards the enemy front line. In the event of this being captured, the push-pipe could be exploded to quickly form a communication trench.

The Rhondda Valley sap push-pipe operations were overseen by the company's CO, Major Leslie Coulter, and his second in command, Captain Alexander Sanderson. One kilometre south along the line, sappers from No. 4 Section under Lieutenant Bertie Priestman and No. 2 Section under Lieutenant Oscar Howie were also involved in the push-piping operations at the Red Lamp Salient.

Where the British line took a sharp turn at 'Lamp Corner' on the south-western side of the salient, no man's land was only 175m wide. Opposite the Red Lamp salient was a small German salient known to the British as Wick Salient. Here British and German shared an equal ability to enfilade each other across the narrow strip of no man's land from their respective positions at Red Lamp and Wick Salients. [...]

[..T]he two pipes at Red Lamp did not fully detonate [...] To the north, Lieutenant Bertie Priestman's seventy-two metre of push-pipe resulted in a crater only thirty- three metres in length, although it was six and a half metres wide and provided an impressive three metres of head cover.

The efforts of the tunnelling company were thus only partially successful. The failure to form communication trenches that fully crossed no man's land had little bearing on the outcome of the battle [...] But the attacking battalions of the 61st Division failed to hold the ground for sufficient time to enable the craters to be transformed into trenches by British Pioneers. (Source: Finlayson 'Crumps and Camouflets', p.102-3)

In this attack 3ATC sustained few casualties. Major Coulter, the CO, and Captain Sanderson, second in command, were both wounded, along with five Other Ranks (OR). Coulter was awarded his DSO and Sanderson, who assumed temporary command of 3ATC, the first of his MC. Lieut. Howie, at Red Lamp, was also awarded an MC. Three Distinguish Conduct Medals (DCM) and two Military Medals (MM) were awarded to OR.

Lt. Priestman wrote in the War Diary [the term refers to the War Diaries of 3ATC (Accessed: 12 July 2016)] appendix:

Above: Trench map of Red Lamp, Fromelles 19 July 1916

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Above: A modern aerial view locating Fromelles and Wick Salient. Approximate trenches: British red and German blue

The Battle of Loos ¹ Hill 70 and Hythe Tunnel

Above: A map locating the approximate position of British and German trenches around Loos in March to May 1917. Several of these names appear in the text. The trench systems remained stable into 1918. Note Le Rutoire Farm where Les was gassed on Le Rutoire Plain August 1918 (11/4/18 - War Diary April 1918 Part 3 p.3). Sources: WFA Western Front Association: Mapping the Front, Loos Area Modified from Morton EG in Warner, Philip, 'The Battle of Loos', Wordsworth Edition, Ware, 2000

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On 19 August 1916 3^rd Australian Tunnelling Company separated from 1^st Australian Mining Corps to become a unit in its own right. On 25 September, 3ATC absorbed 6ATC. 3ATC was essentially an experienced tunnelling company within an 'elastic' (Sanderson, War Diary May, 1918) Royal Engineers umbrella. As will be seen in the rapid open warfare of the 'Advance to Victory' campaign 3ATC became bomb disposal experts, builders of bridges, salvagers and the repairers of roads and flooding canals. They were also infantry men trained to shoot, receiving four hours musketry training during their two days rest at Bracquement. The order of 9 May 1918 states that in the event of an attack 3ATC would man the Bully Switch from the Bully Grenay - Angers road in [36cNW3] R.24.and westward under the command of XVIII Corps. When 3ATC arrived at its headquarters in rue Alexandre Dhesse, Bracquement (frequently spelt Bracquemont) on 9 November 1916, Hill 70 was firmly in German hands. With advanced billets in the cellars of demolished Loos houses, 3ATC remained there until 19 October 1918 when it advanced with 1st Corps in its open warfare phase.

Above: Bracquement, showing 3ATC's headquarters. Sheet reference 44A NE4 25d.80.40 Click on the map to open a scalable pdf map in a new window. The top left corner of the T points to the H.Q. Source: The National Archives (TNA) WO 297/1143 trenches 01 October 1916

Above: The rear of 3ATC headquarters in rue Alexandre Dhesse. Unknown date. The HQ is the central building with two chimneys. The area of Nissen huts is marked khaki on the map. Source: AWM C0440

Les was promoted to Temporary Sergeant on 15 April 1917 when Sgt Reid had been evacuated with a gunshot wound. When Reid did not return Les' promotion to Sergeant was confirmed on 29 July 1917.

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Working under Hill 70 - Hythe Tunnel - extracted from the War Diary monthly

Following their defeat at the Battle of Loos ¹ (25 September - 15 October 1915), the British consolidated their limited gains in the town, under the German lines at Hill 70 and Hulluch. The Hill was 'unremarkable, barely discernable as a prominence; yet it had sufficient elevation to overlook the landscape to the west which was held by the British. The village of Loos lies below the shallow western slopes of Hill 70.' ¹

Above: Loos: trenches correct 01 June 1918 Source: WFA Mapping the Front Loos area 44ANW 36SW M_5_000597 Finlayson page 149 Click 0n the map to open an A3 landscape map in a new window

[During the Battle of Loos] The 15th (Scottish) Division fought and suffered terribly at Loos. Over the course of the first two days of fighting, the 7th Cameron Highlanders, 9th Black Watch, 8th Seaforth Highlanders and the 10th Gordon Highlanders of the division's 44th Brigade suffered 2250 casualties. ²

Loos was dominated by two landmarks: a steel, twin towered pit head named Tower Bridge situated at the western edge of the long slopping Double Crassier slag heap. By late 1916, the British line lay at the eastern edge of the Crassier. North of the Crassier was the three- levelled Hill 70 mine system taken over by 3ATC. The British line had dug-in 100 yards west of the German Hill 70 Redoubt. By August 1917, the British line lay on the eastern slope of Hill 70 with the enemy able to observe British movements from the summit of Hill 70, particularly movement along the Hythe Alley communication trench. The solution was for 3ATC to tunnel below the hill, which was not completed until mid-1918. As a strategic position the initial engineering work was defensive in nature, whilst later it facilitated the Canadian offensive of 15-25 August 1917. During this time it is believed Les was with No. 4 Section. The War Diaries make no specific mention of the work undertaken by specific Sections.

Between 09 November and 12 November 1916, 3ATC relieved 258 Coy. RE on and under the much fought over Hill 70 sector. This would be 3/ATC's main operating area, working in the dark as to their knowledge of where the Germans were underground. Their HQ, in the basement of a bombed Loos house operated until August 1918. Just weeks after arriving, 3ATC suffered the greatest single loss to an Australian tunnelling company during the war. On 27 November 1917, twenty tunnellers were killed and nine others gassed following the German detonation of a deep camouflet.

'The principal mining systems at Loos, taken over by 3ATC, were 'Black Watch', 'Gordon' and 'Seaforth' named on honour of the Scottish Regiments that suffered heavy casualties on the slopes of Hill 70 in 1915. The mining systems extended over three levels to a depth of almost 35m and were accessed from the front-line trench through six shafts: Cameron, 1, 2, 22, 21 and 4. The system could also be accessed via four inclined tunnels from the support trenches behind the front-line trench. These were known as the 'Grants', 'Scots', 'Gordon' and Black Watch' inclines.' ³

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The completed tunnel was 1215 metres in length with two entrances. The first entrance was accessed via an incline from the Lens-La Bassee road and the second via an extension dug from the old German front line, 490 metres west of the road. At its far, eastern end, the tunnel branched and connected with another tunnel, Quarry Tunnel, which provided access to the front-line trench (Lynn Trench) and dugouts at the Quarry. At its deepest point, the tunnel provided 14 metres of head cover. Hythe Tunnel contained accommodation P.163 dugouts, a dressing station and provided access to four machine-gun emplacements. The tunnel and dugouts were fitted with a total of 120 electric lights supplied with power by an engine room constructed near the western entrance to the tunnel. Water for the tunnel and its dugout system was also provided by the Alphabet Company, pumped from a depth of 30 metres from old German mine workings in the underlying chalk aquifer and stored in a tank in a separate chamber. ⁴

So began a long period of deep mining of the Hythe Tunnel in the hard chalk of the Hill 70 system, often in deep water. It became a war of camouflets - exploding charges which destroyed the enemies tunnels rather than breaking the surface - often resulting in Australian fatalities. Despite these and the German shelling of the tunnellers trenches, 3/ATC gradually gained the upper hand. In January 1917, the underground war intensified and included a destructive German trench raid on Seaforth and the trenches around Shaft 21. A second unopposed raid took place on 18 March 1917 in Scots Shaft giving the enemy good knowledge of 3/ATCs workings. The Company mined hard chalk, constantly driving tunnels and subways toward the German line. A warren of Brigade and Battalion battle headquarters, fighting points and galleries, connecting under the chalk and to the surface, were carved. Underground dugouts, trench mortar emplacements, PROTO [mine rescue] posts, observation posts, and Dressing Stations were constructed. At the same time, captured enemy shafts and galleries were investigated and utilized where possible. The work was mostly completed before the end of July. In August 1917, in preparation for the Canadian attack, shelters, mine shafts, galleries and dug-outs were repaired or opened out and laid with signal cables to the old lateral tunnels and mine galleries of the Advanced front Line.

Carefully dug and measured tunnels progressed towards the enemy lines and then filled with tamped charges of ammonal. Seaforth Tunnel, at 1200 feet (366m), was completed in December 1916 and charged with a preparatory 10,000lbs (4536kg) of ammonal. Under frequent mortar barrages, Gordon and Scott Alley inclines were begun in January 1917, driven and revetted more than 380 feet (35.3m) Seaforth were connected and Scott Alley revetted and a Cameron branch was charged with 7,000 pounds (3,175kg) of ammonal. When the war was quiet, 3ATC took the opportunity to dig deeper, dig more extensions and to refine everything. In March 1917 as many as nine tunnels and subways were under construction on Hill 70 and work turned to converting German workings. Twelve mine chambers at a depth of 100 feet were primed with high explosive. Following the June 1917 advances captured enemy workings were turned into defensive sites and advanced dugouts and observation posts were constructed, sometimes in enemy galleries. Despite the enemy firing a mine crater in July 1917 the War Diary confidently records:

The enemy ceased mining, as it had been proved time and time again that our Miners mining methods were far superior to his own' ⁵

Above: Loos: trenches correct 01 June 1918 Source: WFA Mapping the Front Loos area 44ANW 36SW M_5_000597 Click on the map to open an A3 landscape map in a new window

During this work both sides had Listening Posts constantly seeking the sound of opposition mining; their direction and distance. Defensive hostile and friendly 'camouflet' mines were fired to disrupt diggings, tunnels and galleries and kill miners - a 'camouflet' explodes underground and formed a subterranean cavity. On 20 December 1916 a defensive camouflet of 4,000kg was exploded in a Cameron chamber 21DDR1L1 (Shaft 21 Double Deep [over 75 feet (23m)] Right 1st turn Left 1st turn when German miners were estimated to be 10m away. The enemy retaliated by blowing two deep camouflets at 60 feet (18m) and 90 feet (27.5m). One officer and one OR were slightly wounded and gallery was evacuated except for one fighting patrol.

In January the Company broke into the enemy gallery damaged by the December camouflet. In March 1917, with the enemy working towards 3ATC, four charges of 9,000lbs, (4,0082kg) 11,000lbs (5,000kg), 2,000lbs (907kG) and 5,000lbs (2268kg) were exploded whilst the enemy were working on their galleries. At the end of the month, following the Raid (q.v.) two chambers were charged with 5,000lbs (2,270kg) ammonal each with the Germans working 40 feet (12m) away. An 11,000lb (5,000kg) camouflet was also fired. July 1917 saw the end of offensive mining on the Western Front with attention turned to stripping old enemy galleries of their valuable timber to be recycled.

Sanderson writes pm the War Diary for March 1917: 'In March ended the mining work in an offensive and defensive-offensive way. The enemy ceased mining, evidently realising, as it had been proved time and time again, that our Miners and mining methods were far superior to his own'. Between 15 August 1917 and 18 August 1917, the Canadians were successful in the capture and defence of Hill 70 and went some way into the Quarries in front of Cité St. August. However they failed, in a later operation, to capture the town of Lens. 3/ATC were involved in opening the Hill 70 shelters, mine shafts, galleries and dugouts that had fallen into partial disrepair and laying new cables for the signallers. Lieut. Russel went over the top with the Canadians and with commanding three Investigation Parties to seek out, remove and destroy traps and mines left by the Germans in dugouts, buildings and under roads, railways and bridges on their retreat. ⁷

Each party comprised of an officer, four NCOs, fourteen sappers and 40 attached infantry. Their task was to locate suitable battalion headquarters, advanced brigade reporting centres and to examine captured enemy dugouts for infantry accommodation. 6 Lieut. General Sir Arthur Currie sent his appreciation, on behalf of the Canadian Corps, to Major Sanderson and 3ATC, for their contribution to the successful attack on Hill 70. Right: Sir Arthur Currie's letter 8

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Then, with the enemies attention diverted to the Passchendaele attack, Hill 70 remained in Allied hands and 3ATC experienced a period of relative peace. Work on the Hill 70 front ended on 10 August 1917. CEW Bean summarised the Australians' underground methods as: 'Working and fighting in a maze of tunnels and saps and burrows like a band of murderous trolls.'

In January 1918, Hythe Tunnel was created under Hill 70 to cover the absence of tunnels across the exposed eastern side of Hill 70. By mid September No.3 Section had driven 3,000m of infantry subways, including Hythe Tunnel, in an exposed position over a seven-month period. On 25 November 1917, Major Sanderson proposed, in the War Diary, the construction.

Above: Plan of the Hythe Tunnel from 3/ATC's War Diary January 1918 p.98 Click on the map to open a scalable pdf map in a new window

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Casualties

The work on Hill 70 wasn't without casualties. On 27 November 1916 whilst tamping gallery 21DD with 17,500 lbs of ammonal the enemy exploded a camouflet under Black Watch, which exploded the ammonal. Casualties included Lt H. Russel wounded and 20 ORs killed with eight ORs "mine gassed", the largest loss of life experiences by the Australian Tunnelling Companies. The next day a second camouflet killed two ORs and "mine gassed" one. The War Diary detailed an enemy raid on 05 January 1917 when about 20 of the enemy entered our trenches under a heavy barrage, at a point opposite what is known as " No. 1 Post" (Southern tunnel exit). Though bombs and a delayed action charge was left in the entrance of Seaforth Crater, the tunnel was successfully defended. Seven 3ATC men were 'missing' believed captured. Incline L911 and shaft 21 and the main entrance to Mines Rescue Station were destroyed.

A second raid took place at 2am on 18 March 1917 at 'undefended' Scot Alley (H31C.74.70). The enemy penetrated 300 yards of the line and wiped out the front line. They were unopposed by the protective 3/Durham Light Infantry screen, who had been warned of a possible raid because 3ATC had blown three successful camouflets whilst the enemy were working their galleries. The enemy placed two 18lb mobile charges in Scot Shaft that exploded at 30 feet (10m) and in the entrance. Empty gas cylinders were found. Although no casualties were reported, the real damage was in the enemy discovering 3ATC's carefully camouflaged workings.

Above: Sketch map of trench raid 05 January 1917 9 Click on the image to open a larger image in a new window

On the evening of 28 June 1917, a retaliatory raid by 2/Durham Light Infantry and 11/Essex, supported by three parties 3ATC, took place just south of Hill 70 against three mines being charged by the enemy in the old German front line. Three parties comprising of one NCO and six sappers, lead by Capt. Saunders, assaulted the German trenches opposite Gordon and Cameron Alleys, destroyed the three enemy mine shafts and two deep dug-outs. Captain Saunders was wounded in the action, but remained on duty. The Company CO, Major Coulter, having returned that afternoon from leave, went with the raid to cheer and encourage. During the second of three enemy counter attacks Major Coulter was shot through the mouth and spine and killed instantly.

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On 22 January 1918 the popular 45 year old Lieut. Hugh Russel MC was mortally wounded by a shell explosion as he surveyed the route for Hythe Tunnel. He died at No.7 CCS 14 hours later. Two day's later Major Sanderson wrote a one page letter of sympathy to his widow promising full details of his death when circumstances permitted. This letter, sent from France on 07 January 1919, not only gave Mrs. Russel details of her husband's death, but describes succinctly the situation 3ATC experienced at Hill 70. Russel was worthy of his Military Cross and the words written by Major Sanderson.

To the end of August 1917, 3ATC's approximate casualties, the majority of whom are buried in Hersin Military Cemetery, 2km south-west of the Bracquement headquarters were:

• Killed: Officers 2, OR 52
• Wounded, gassed and missing: Officers 6, OR 112

Other works

The capture of Hill 70 brought some relief from working underground. 3ATC, acting as Australian Engineers, were frequently tasked to make good the shattered town. After the Battle of Arras, on 14 April 1917 half the company of 658 OR started a programme of improving the roads around Calonne, Lens, Lievin, Maroc, Loos and Cité St. Pierre, with metalled surfaces. Bridges were strengthened, rail crossings improved and enemy materials salvaged. In the War Diary of June 1917 the Company, whilst improving defensive tunnels from cellars in buildings to machine gun posts, building First Aid posts and consolidating, reserve and communication trenches, was involved in:

• restoring Lieven's water supply by tapping the water in the pits and laying with a 6 inch (18cm) main;
• salvaging useful material; and
• building the newly metalled 'Australian Road', now the modern rue Emile Zola.

The programme was completed by early September when the Company to the Lens/Loos/Hulluch/La Basse sectors.

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Above: Trench map of Lievin, 26 June 1917 showing the work undertaken by 3ATC on 25 April 1917. The 2250 yards Australian Road, across the old No Man's Land for lorries and heavy guns, took 42 working hours 11

Above: 3ATC's War Diary for 25 April 1917, describing the work on the map and the photographs

The Calonne-Lievin Road from (M21d.35.75) to (M21G 05.80) was reconstructed and repairs were made to the bridge at (M 21d.82.85). Level Crossing at (M.22C.10.35 to M 22C.20.10) was repaired. Roads in Lievin received attention. Work was started on the return traffic road through Calonne on 25/4/17.

Work continued through to May when on 04 May 1917 the War Diary reported half the Company were involved in the completion of the road building programme:

• Carrying the Australian Road to the main road at Lievin by three route from the Cabaret des Jardins, two via the level crossing at Fosse 1 and then right and left and following the original road via the cross-roads at M.22.b.1.1

• Clearing the earth or mud at the road side and clearing the blocked drains.

• Restoring the road metal at a rate of one cubic yard per 25 yard run.

• Salvaging RE material.

In March 1917 the War Diary records a promotion and a course

• 1005 Cpl. FORSYTH LM detailed for Proto training - mines rescue

Left: 3ATC Proto station in Hulluch Tunnel used for mine rescue or a fighting stations in forward subways or infantry subways Source: AWM E01683

Following the German's April retreat to the Hindenburg Line, 3/ATC were involved in their first experience of dealing with German traps and mines laid road, captured trenches and dugouts and with souvenirs in their scorched earth policy. German mines now lay under the British front line.

In June 1917, 3/ATC returned to the front line renovating trenches and working on underground dugouts in preparation for the Canadian attack of 15 August 1917. In that Germans were heard mining below Hill 70, Sanderson took 21 men of 3/ATC, with a 100 infantry, on a successful raid on the night of 28 June 1917, to hold parts of the German front line and investigate and then destroy the tunnel's entrances; a raid in which 2nd/Lt. FB Wearne, of 11Bn Essex Regiment, won a posthumous Victoria Cross. Major Coulter DSO, i/c 3/ATC, returning from leave, dashed to the German trenches where he was snipped and Killed in Action. Sanderson took command of the Company and was awarded the bar to his MC.

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In July 1917, 3/ATC having eliminated the underground danger to the August Canadian attack, moved from active tunnelling to building elaborate dugouts, accommodation and machine gun pits

On 09 March 1918 3ATC moved out of Hill 70 and began the work that would feature heavily after October 1918. A difficult to read handwritten note, in the February War Diary records:

19-3-18 100 yds lead on single stick to go out on 3pm with two men. These men to carry it to junction of Verdin Alley & Reserve Line (not Support Line). These two will remain out for Forsyth 20-3-18 Vermelles listeners, Hulluch Listeners only go --- except that Sergt Forsyth will bring 2 men with him in case of emergency. AJ Hillman Capt 12

A second War Diary entry for March 1918 records in a handwritten note to OC 3ATC:

2pm-10pm Sergeant Forsyth & 4 sappers Ran mine charge leads from all locked chambers at ends of buried cables in Hulluch, St Elie & St Georges tunnels to Mine Rescue Station. Fixed typed instructions (copy attached) in all locked chambers. Handed key of Hulluch cables to 'Cupid'. Keys of St Elie & St George will be handed over later. The cable ends marked charge inside this cupboard are connected to a charge laid in this tunnel. The cable ends marked RESCUE STATION lead to the Mine Rescue Station near the Power House. To fire the charge: Connect the two set of leads together here. Connect the ends at the Mine Rescue Station to the exploder kept there. Operate the exploder. Note the sliding block must be in position across the tunnel before firing the charge. Note the sliding block must be in position across the tunnel before firing the charge.  SJ Hillman Capt >13

The War Diary for March 1918 ¹⁴ records Captain HW Brown, Sgt. TW Austin and LM Forsyth with several sappers were training to use the Lewis Gun at the 1st Corps LG School.

Above: A composite image of Les' Lewis Gun course

This records good general knowledge, very good ability to command and a good ability to instruct. Having made good progress, it was predicted Les would make an efficient instructor. A Lewis Gun was installed near the HQ billets Bracquement with the aim of firing on hostile aircraft.

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On 29 March 2011, along with two friends, I visited Hill 70 for the first time and left a memorial card. The local paper responded:

Recognition in the Loos-en-Gohelle press - Photo of an Australian tunneller found hanging on a fence Sunday 24.04.2011, 05:15 The Voice of the North Surprise for walkers who use the green belt: ... a picture was hung on a fence. It is no triviality to discover a corner of the 'biaux gardins' and the Croisette path. It is even less when we know that it is that of an Australian soldier who fought at this place in 1917. On Hill 70 in 1917 The very beautiful picture represents Les Milo Forsyth, a soldier born in Australia in 1888. He volunteered for the 3rd Tunnelling Company in the body of the mines. His unit took part in combat mines (laying mines making huge craters) in Fromelles, Laventie, Fauquissart sectors before arriving on the famous Hill 70 in 1917. Injured by a gas shell in 1918, and after intensive care in military hospitals, he returned to Australia. He married in 1920 and died in 1966. By chance, the Durand Group and the 'l'association Loos in the footsteps of the Great War', were searching for Australian tunnels on the same day, [80m from the card] from the photo was left. During 'Days of the European heritage', the association's presents the tragedy of twenty one Australian Tunnellers killed the same day by a German surprise attack on Hill 70. Max Gehlen watercolors will also be shown.

1821info9d_1, sheet 15

LESLIE MILO FORSYTH 1005 3^e compagnie de tunneliers - Source: Loos Museum Villedieu, 21 December 2011

Leslie Milo Forsyth est né à Mt Jeffcot, Donald, Victoria le 20 octobre 1888 Australie. Leslie signe le document d'attestation destiné à l'enrément pour service outre-mer le 13 novembre 1915, indiquant sonâge et son métier maréchal ferrant). Déclaré bon pour le service à son examen medical à Ross, Tasmanie, le 16 novembre, il est nommé, le même jour, à la 3e compagnie des Mines à Claremont. Leslie rejoint le nouveau Corps des Mines australien au Camp Sasula où il est nommé Caporal provisoire le 18 décembre 1915.

A la parade militaire au Domain, Sydney, le 19 février 1916, toute une foule de parents et amis des mineurs entourent les quatre côtés du champ de manuvres. Des dizaines d'agents, ainsi qu'une centaine de policiers militaire de la Garnison sont présents pour contrôler la foule pour voir ce spectacle enthousiasmant. Aprés la parade d'adieu, le Corps des Mines australien embarque Sydney en 1916. Un Corps des Mines n'a pas de place dans la Force expédtionnaire britannique, Il est donc dissous et trois compagnies de tunneliers australiens sont formées. Pendant le reste de l'année 1916, Leslie travaille avec la 3e Compagnie de tunneliers à Wytschaete, Fromelles, Laventie-Fauquissart, Chapigney et Tilleloy. En 1917 l'unité travaille à divers projets à Loos, Hill 70, Arras, Lens et Vermelles. Leslie est promu au grade de Sergent temporaire le 15 avril 1917 apres la mort du Sergent Reid. Leslie est blessé la suite d'un pilonnage au gaz le 10 avril 1918. Il reçut sa Médaille Militaire de Guerre Britannique le 12 Octobre 1921 et sa Médaille de la Victoire le 8 Novembre 1922.

Leslie Milo Forsyth epous a Beatrice Moore en 1920 à Victoria. Il passa quelque temps dans une exploitation agricole dans les années 20. Leslie s'engagea le 8 avril 1942 à Sunshine, Victoria pour servir dans la Seconde Guerre Mondiale. Son épouse Beatrice Forsyth décéda en 1948. Leslie Milo Forsyth décéda à Heidelberg, Victoria en 1966, à l'ge de 77 ans.

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End notes

1. Finlayson 2010 p.142
2. Finlayson 2018 p.157
3. Finlayson 2010 p.145
4. Finlayson 2018 p.164
5. War Diary
6. ^{(Finlayson page 234)}
7. War Diary August 1918 p.25
8. Sanderson 2024 pp.161, 162
9. iWar Diary January 1917 p.12
10. War Diary Miss filed to January 1918, Appendix 24/24a page 50 (Accessed: 31 August 2016)
11. Trench map Lievin 44A SW1 TNA ref WO 297/1090
12. War Diary, February 1918 Part 2, p.38
13. ibid March 1918 (Part 1) pp.91 & 94
14. ibid March 1918 (Part 1) p.90

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Sources:

• © Baldy, Donna, 2008 /2011 of Tunnellers research website. With permission. (Accessed 08 March 2016)
• Blainey, Geoffrey, 'The Peaks of Lyell', Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1959
• Cheery, Niall, 'Most Unfavourable Ground - The battle of Loos 1915', Helion, Solihull, 2008
• Finlayson, Damien, 'Crumps and Camouflets - Australian Tunnelling Companies on the Western Front', Big Sky Publishing, Newport NSW, 2010
• Finlayson, Damien, Supporting Tunnelling Operations in the Great War, Pen & Sword Military, Barnsley, 2018. First published by Big Sky Publishing 2017 as The Lightning Keepers: The AIF's Alphabet Company in the Great War
• Grieve and Newman, Tunnellers: The story of the Tunnelling Companies, Royal Engineers, in the World War, Naval and Military Press reprint 2006
• NAA Your story, Our History - 1005 Forsyth LM B2455 (Accessed 27 August 2016)
• Pitt, Barrie, '1918 - The Last Act', Pen and Sword Military, Barnsley, 2013
• Reading, John and Baldey, Donna (Ed), 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company. History from its formation in Australia in December 1915 until May 1919. 2009
• Sanderson, Alexander, his war time papers, with thanks to Robin Sanderson
• Sanderson, Myles, Tunnelling Commander on the Western Front, Frontline Books, Barnsley, 2024
• Sanderson, Myles, Tunnelling Commander on the Western Front, Frontline Books, Barnsley, 2024
• Sanderson, Myles, Tunnelling Commander on the Western Front, Frontline Books, Barnsley, 2024
• Sheffield, Gary, Command and Morale, The British Army on the Western Front 1914-1918, Praetorian Press, Barnsley, 2014
• Warner, Philip, 'The Battle of Loos', Wordsworth Military Library, Ware, 2000

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1821info9d_1, sheet 16

More information 1

The Battle of Loos - a summary The activities of the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company (3ATC) in 1917 and 1918 were the result of the failed Battle of Loos and the subsequent stagnant position of the British front line. The Loos battle, though on a larger scale than the previous 1915 battles, suffered from using the same strategy and tactics with the ongoing deficiencies of artillery. The inept use of 150 tons of gas by the British, released despite unfavourable conditions, was counter-productive and did not compensate for these shortcomings. Field Marshall Sir John French, having increasing doubts as to the possibility of any success in this sector, had cause to rethink the proposed attack. He wrote to General Haig, commanding 1st Army, at the end of July asking whether Haig was still of the opinion that the area between the French left, south of Lens, and the La Bassee Canal was not favourable for an attack. He wondered whether a 1st Army attack north of the canal would draw off the enemy's reserves so bringing relief to the French attack near Lens and Vimy. Haig replied that with more knowledge of the area, it was his opinion the Loos area was not favourable for an attack; the enemy defences having been greatly strengthened. He recommended abandoning any offensive south of the Canal with the offensive limited to extending the lines at Aubers Ridge (north of the Canal) southwards towards the Canal and attacking towards Violaines. Perhaps Haig was mindful of the ground and the expected heavy casualties and wanted to save his Regular divisions from the needless slaughter. There was now an impasse. Whilst the French wanted the BEF to attack around Lens the BEF were not happy with this suggestion. Another conference was called for 27 July at General Foch's HQ at Frevt. Deep Anglo-French political manoeuvres between Joffre (Commander of the French Armies), Millerand (French Minister of War) and Kitchener (Secretary of State for War) followed. Sir John gave way and devised plans to support the French 10th Armies left flank between Lens and Loos, and north to Hulluch and Auchy; Haig's unfavourable ground. It was thought that to give the British troops a greater chance of success the attack should be covered by smoke and the new chlorine gas; a very effective weapon in neutralising the German defences, making up for the shortage of artillery and allowing a broader attack leading to a breakthrough in one or more places. The Battle of Loos from 25 September 1915 to 13 October 1915 achieved very little despite the 61,713 British soldiers killed, wounded and missing. Although the front moved a mile east in a salient with Loos at its south-east corner, it failed to cross the Haute Deule Canal. The action in the autumn of 1915 is significant because the front then remained static until the final two months of the war. From 12 November 1916, 3ATC experienced the trenches and landscape of those autumn battles, but under Hill 70 facilitating the Canadians successful attack in August 1917, and under the Vermelles-Hulluch area until the week of 17-26 October 1918. Hill 70 - the right flank of the attack British Intelligence believed there were only around two companies (400 men) defending the area around the Vermelles road as it entered Loos, giving a high ratio in favour of the attackers. It was intended that after the leading two Brigades had cleared the village of Loos, the right brigade would neutralise Hill 70 Redoubt with the left Brigade taking the mine buildings of Puit 14 bis (Puit auxiliary mineshaft, 14 bis 14a). Then orders became a little vague. The plan was that the first brigade to go over the top of Hill 70 and reach the Lens road would leave sufficient forces to consolidate and defend the position. This the 44th Brigade achieved. The remainder of the two brigades were to carry on almost due east to the village of Cité St Auguste. The portion of the 46th Brigade at Puit 14 was to advance eastwards along the track between Chalet Wood and Bois Hugo: the first set of objectives. The second objective was the German second line. The Germans defended the reverse slopes of Hill 70 and then northwards past the eastern ends of Chalet Wood and Bois Hugo. The planners were unaware that after crossing the crest of Hill 70 and during the advance towards Cité St Auguste about another 2 mile away, the attackers were under enfilade fire from both left and right flanks. No plans were made for the defences in the north of Lens as it was believed the Germans would be on the run or simply not have enough men to hold the area in any strength. Though the Germans were unbalanced after the relatively easy fall of Loos and whilst some remained fighting from the cellars, a great number fled to the heights of Hill 70 Redoubt and over the reverse slope. They were followed by 1500 disorganised British, in a kind of holiday mood, spread between Hill 70 and Bois Hugo. The few remaining Germans in the Redoubt, realising they were outnumbered, withdrew south to Cité St Laurent, leaving the summit to be taken.

The situation now became even more confused: the advance was off track, the summit of Hill 70 had been crested and the men, instead of consolidating Hill 70 with one battalion, began to move down the reverse slope with a few going in the correct direction to Cité St Auguste. The majority headed into a pocket of German defences bounded by Cité St Laurent, Bois Hugo and Cité St Auguste, confused by the approximate same distance from Hill 70 and the same appearance of a mine wheel-house and a mass of small houses. There was no way of stopping them when a murderous crossfire caused many casualties. Some of the surviving commanders, realising the danger, regrouped 400 men behind the crest line of Hill 70, leaving a yawning gap between this force and the 47th Division. There was no sign of the 1st Division appearing on the left flank. A defensive trench was dug across the Hill 70 Redoubt in time to repel the first German counter attack. A bitter struggle for control followed. The Germans reached the summit but were held back by the hard-pressed 9/Black Watch reinforced by 73/Field Company Royal Engineers in the Redoubt. Weight of numbers forced the British out of the Redoubt, which with its commanding view down the western slopes into Loos was lost for good. Such was the importance of Hill 70 that Lieut. Gen. Sir Henry Rawlinson ordered his reserves to retake Hill 70 if they found it abandoned. If it was held by the British, the garrison was to be supported with the remainder pressing forward to Cité St August. This attack petered out when the attack took the wrong direction. On the morning of 26 September, the British were positioned on the western slopes of Hill 70. A further attack was ordered as a high priority. It allowed two hours to take the reinforced Redoubt before the main northern attack on Bois Hugo and Chalet Wood went in. In a fierce hand-to-hand fighting a British toe-hold was gained but those pressing round the Redoubt came under heavy enfilading fire and were forced to withdraw to just below the western ridge line on the forward slope. This meant that any attack on the German second line between Bois Hugo and Puit 13 was visible. Enfilade fire from Hill 70 caused heavy casualties. At 4pm, in a confusion of orders and attempts to reinforce the line, there was a general withdrawal from Hill 70. On 27 September, Haig approved plans for a limited afternoon strike by the Guards Brigade with 2/Guards attacking Puit 14 bis and Bois Hugo before wheeling south to take Hill 70. Despite advanced troops being 25 yards from the Redoubt it was decided that, come daylight, this position would be untenable, so they dug-in 100 yards from the Redoubt. This ended the attacks until 3ATC facilitated the successful Canadian attack between 15 and 25 August 1917. Vermelles-Hulluch Sector- the left flank of the attack On the 25 September, the British were in front of Vermelles on La Rutoire Plain near Hulluch where the line formed another big flank by turning westward and then round the village. They faced The Quarries, and the villages of Cité St. Elie and Hulluch, both behind the German second line. To the north of this lay the infamous Hohenzollern Redoubt, The Dump, Fosse 8 (Fosses = pit, usually associated with a dump), Le Bass Canal and the 1st Army boundary. The right hand force's objective was to seize Hulluch. By 11am they had reached the area of the Loos-Haisnes road, east of the original German front line, with very few casualties. When cresting a small rise they came under intense small arms fire from the village of Cité St Elie. The survivors rushed forward and settled down into the relative safety of Gun Trench, 1000 yards short of their Hulluch objective, which they set about turning into a defensive position. The left hand force reached the area of The Quarries without too many casualties, but then started coming under small arms fire from Cite Trench and artillery of Quarries. In support, 1st Division attacked between Lone Tree and Northern Sap with the intention of penetrating the German Second Line to take the village of Hulluch. The right flank was to swing south towards Puit 14 bis, Bois Hugo and the northern slopes of Hill 70. Both attacks failed. On 26 September, orders were sent out to attack Hulluch again and to push on to the first day's objectives of Haute Deule Canal through the 'thin German lines'. However, this attack was in full view of the Germans entrenched on Hill 70. Despite Hill 70 not being taken, the attack followed the same unaltered plan in the hope that this attack would outflank and roll-up Hill 70. British soldiers were left trying to find cover in front of uncut wire. When someone shouted 'retire' the 24 Division was shattered by machine gun fire. Hulluch remained firmly in German hands.

1821info9d_1, sheet 17

More information 1 cont:-

Le Rutoire Plain Le Rutoire Plain is a very barren landscape in the general area between Vermelles and Hulluch - the area where the left flank attack went in. It was here, in August 1918, that Les was gassed. Le Rutoire Farm was a large farm complex some distance behind the British front line and close to the village of Vermelles. On 25 September it was the advanced headquarters of the 2nd and 3rd Infantry Brigades, and it is known several divisional HQ staffs also used it during the battle. There were gun positions close by and the farm cellars were the site of 1st Division's Advanced Bearer Post. On 27 September, the GOC of the Guards Division made Le Rutoire Farm his Advanced HQ and where the cellars were the site of 1st Division's Advanced Bearer Post. Stuttering to a halt In October/November 1915 little further progress had been made towards the Haute Deule Canal. On 15 October Sir John French prohibited further attacks apart from securing 1/Armies left flank. The Dump, Fosse 8, the Quarries and Hill 70 were to remain in enemy hands. Although the objectives had not been reached, some land had been gained but at a cost of 61,713 casualties. The work of 3ATC was a prelude to the rapid and successful Canadian attack on 15 August 1917. Due to the misjudgment of the generals, the battle did not finish as a victory. The breakthrough at Hill 70 was nullified by a slow reaction of the High Command. This final failure led to a falling out between the two major commanders. The general disquiet at the performance of the Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal French, particular regarding the use of the reserves, culminated in General Haig leading a concerted and eventually successful campaign to discredit and replace French. Source: Cheery, Niall, Most Unfavourable Ground, The Battle of Loos 1915, Helion, Solihull, 2008

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This page was created by Richard Crompton and maintained by Chris Glass		Version C2 Updated 14 February 2025

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