Troops of the 1st Division, passing along the Menin Road, in the Ypres sector, from Hooge Crater to the front line to take part in the attack opened earlier in the day 20 September 1917. (AWM E00850).
At 5.40 am on 20 September the men were ordered to advance. The German defences proved difficult to breach; the enemy front line was not a systematic trench system but rather a collection of machine-gun outposts and concrete pillboxes with the strongest points to the rear. The artillery could no longer fire along a clear line of trenches. The 1st Division was tasked with clearing the ravaged area of Glencorse Wood and Nonne Boschen (Nun’s Wood) immediately west of Polygon Wood. George had moved into position under cover of darkness. He had been in reserve but had been called in at the last minute. He waited as the showers came, trench mortar ready, mist covering the battlefield. Precisely on zero hour the Australians rose in unison through a wall of dust and fumes as the British and Australian artillery opened fire in a deafening barrage.
Less than an hour after the battle commenced George fell, hit by gunfire on the approach to Polygon Wood, wounded but alive.
Red Cross records contain a report by No. 3431 Private Robertson, also of the 2nd Light Trench Mortar Battery, who wrote an account of what happened next:
I was 15 yds from Marlow when he was hit. He received two bullet wounds in the stomach. I saw him carried away to Dressing Station. I recognised him. That was the last I saw of him. Height 5ft. 6ins, stout build. Cleanshaved and fair. Age about 26. This happened at Polygon Wood, September 20th 19172
Stretcher-bearers carried George from the battlefield, the 6th Field Ambulance transporting him to the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station near Poperinghe.
The following day, at 11.50 am, George succumbed to his wound. He was 24 years old. The officer in command of the clearing station recorded that George had died as a result of a bullet entering his left hip then penetrating his abdomen. The war had taken the life of another of Sarah and Charles’ sons.
Despite the many casualties that day, the battle was regarded by Allied commanders as a success. Objectives had been taken. Plumer had pushed forward over one kilometre and taken around 13 square kilometres of enemy territory. The cost was high: 20,000 Allied troops, of whom 5000 were Australian, were now dead or wounded. 3 George had been just one of so many.
The 4th and 5th divisions relieved the 1st and 2nd in the advanced front line and continued the push to Polygon Wood on 26 September along an eight-kilometre front. While the offensive’s military objectives had been achieved, the human cost had been enormous; in just a few days Australia had suffered 10,000 casualties in the battles of Menin Road and Polygon Wood.
MOLOGA, OCTOBER
Military records indicate that Sarah, Charles and Jim received the news of George’s death sometime before 8 October. It was on this date that they confirmed receipt of the official cable containing those few short words — ‘killed in action’ — the words that daily brought devastating news to so many.
Six weeks were to pass before the surviving brothers received word that their ‘dear Geordie’ had been killed fighting only a few kilometres from where they were positioned. They continued to write home with optimistic accounts of George’s health, messages that must have been starkly incongruous with the sympathy cards that flowed to the family at Mologa, cards that reinforced the reality that their son and brother was truly gone. A few days later, on 13 October, Jim wrote to the Minister for Defence seeking a copy of George’s will and death certificate. Jim had now taken responsibility for dealing with the legalities and military communication associated with the death of his brothers.
The Pyramid Hill Advertiser wrote of the family’s second loss:
We learned yesterday of the regretful news that Mr. C. Marlow of Mologa, has lost the second of his four sons on active service.
October 12, 1917
Corporal G.T. Marlow … was born in Mologa, and was the first to leave here for the front … He saw fighting on a large portion of the British front, the notable places being Armentieres, Ypres, Pozieres, Bapaume, Bullecourt, and Ypres again. He fought in every action his brigade was in, was never wounded and never sick since the day he left Australia … A returned soldier spoke of him as being a cool soldier in action and popular with the men. He did many brave deeds and never spoke of them, and never complained of hardship.4
George’s personal effects were sent home in December, the family receiving his belongings in April 1918. The package included the items he carried with him at the time he was hit: letters, pocket case, cards, souvenir brooch, safety razor, blades and holdall. In his kit were: a metal cigarette case, seven coins, three watches (one silver, two damaged), scissors, notebook, a letter and photos. At the time he died, George was carrying letters he had received from cousin Eddie, his mother and Jim.5 They are fragile and appear stained. They had been carefully stored in a tin containing souvenirs George had collected and sent home.
The original cross placed over George’s grave.
* * *
LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, 2011
George was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, just south-west of Poperinghe where he was taken the day he was wounded. As the crow flies, he is no further than 15 kilometres from the final resting place of his youngest brother, Albert. This cemetery is overwhelming in its size, containing rows and rows of men whose lives were prematurely snatched from them. In this patch of land, 9901 Commonwealth soldiers are buried, with an additional 883 men from Germany, France and the United States. The cemetery constructed in this location was originally sited in a hop field close to the hospitals and casualty clearing stations which, safe from artillery fire, were spread throughout the busy soldiers’ place of respite, the town of Poperinghe. Almost all those buried here died under medical care and are identified.
George’s grave today (author photo 22 April 2011).
Two graves down from George lies Second Lieutenant William Seabrook of the 17th Battalion who also died of wounds in the Menin Road advance on 21 September. Both his brothers had been killed at Menin Road on 20 September. They have no known grave. The appalling cost of war is measured in tragedy on this scale — three sons lost to their family in the space of one day.
Major Frederick Tubb of the 7th Battalion, a Gallipoli VC winner, is also buried here, having been killed on 20 September. Like George he was killed by gunfire, but not before his company had achieved their objectives, overpowering nine pillboxes to reach the southern side of Polygon Wood.
We place a cross of remembrance and some poppies on the grave of George Tennyson Marlow. We have not forgotten, nor will we forget. The short time we have to pay our respects to this young soldier buried so far from his home is insufficient to honour the sacrifice he has made. As I look out over the sea of headstones the scale of the tragedy of the First World War is apparent, each marker a heartbreaking reminder of the senseless slaughter of young men who died doing their duty.
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinghe. The tragedy of war is apparent to the visitor in the sea of white headstones.
SIXTEEN
GOOD GOD, DID WE REALLY
SEND MEN TO FIGHT IN THAT?
FRANCE, SEPTEMBER
Within three days of his death, Allan, Percy and Charlie had received word that George had been wounded. They continued to write home for weeks, unaware of the death of their brother.
Sunday Sept 23rd 1917
My Dear Mother,
… we are still in the same place and having a good time, we were reviewed yesterday by Sir Douglas Haig, the whole of our division was inspected by him it seemed a tremendous crowd of men. I got two letters from Cheynes’s during the week and I am pleased to say that Percy got your parcel yesterday and dear Mother I thank you very much for it we have got all your parcels so far I got a letter from Ida a few days ago they were all well she said that Flo Wilson was coming to work in Leicester. Allan is away at a school but I think he is coming back during the week
he is now a full sergeant. I will be sending you a card for Christmas during the week which I hope you receive safely. I am sending you this note with a letter for Pearl, Geordie was quite well the last time he wrote, we get a letter from him every week …
Charlie later added in a note to his father:
… Today is writing day I have been writing near all day I wrote to mother this afternoon and just as I had finished news came of an Australian mail I got six letters … I think Percy will get his leave any day now and I may get leave at Christmas or after I have about £10 on me and my pay book, but if I get leave I will want that, and then when I go back to where Albert is buried if the Brigade have not put the cross up I intend to put one up myself. I am going to see the Chaplain again and find out if it has been done, it is part of his duty to find out those things I think it will be up, but we are a long way away at present. Well I am cabling to you for £5 one day this week, I do not like sending to Pearl as she is so ill I will give it back to you when I get back. I said I got Mother and Jim[’s] letter I will write to them during the week Geordie is alright …
On the same day, Allan wrote from his army school:
In the field
23-9-1917
My Dear Mum, Dad & Jim
… We are still out of the trenches but it is not for much longer. I think we will soon be in something good. We had a letter from George the other night he is splendid & is still out of the trenches. We are having glorious weather at present. I suppose it is the same in Ausy. Well dear mum I am a sergeant again and am pleased too. It doesn’t matter how many reinforcement sergeants come along I cannot be reduced. Well I have some good news to tell you and if I get the job Allan will be pleased. I have been nominated for a musketry school in England I think it is 3 or 4 months job. There are about 15 of us in for it so if I get it I will be terrible lucky. Anyway there is a chance for me. Well dear mum I am at a school. It is supposed to last a month but I am afraid it will break up before then. I am about 4 miles away from the boys. One of the lads has just come in and told us there is an Ausy mail in so I will go up to the boys to day (Sunday) and get mine. It is a half holiday. There was a Church parade this morning. Well dear mum I am sending you a few silk handkerchiefs today. They are not much but I hope you [get] them all right …
At around this time Allan sent photos home to Jim and his parents. To his mother he provided some detail, writing on the back:
Dear Mum
We had these taken for a joke. I think they are good. Can you see Allan with the boxes on. He looks lovely. The other 3 lads are mates. Allan S
Allan standing on left in a light-hearted photo he sent to his mother.
Allan and his mate Spuddy Kerr.
Dear Mum
This is a very cheap and poor photo. It is Spuddy Kerr and I. Allan S
…. We have shifted back near the line again. Geordie was wounded in a stunt the other day but I believe it is not serious. They tell me he will get to Blighty with it so that is tra bon. There is plenty doing up our way now. Charlie is going away to a rest camp for 14 days. He goes tomorrow. Well dear mum & dad I am going over the top again at any time now. I will be able to get a little of mine back. I am looking forward to it. Well dear Mum I am putting a couple of handkerchiefs in the letter & I hope you get them alright. Well dear this will be the 4th stunt I have been in. So I am having my share of it. Well dear mum I don’t think I have any more news to day but will have some after the stunt so goodbye dear
I remain
Your Loving Son
Allan
Percy got your parcel alright. It was lovely.
This a very hurried note.
Percy (seated, right) photographed with his mates.
Charlie wrote:
Sept 29th 17
My Dear Mother, Father & Jim
Again it is my hard lot to write and tell you that Geordie is wounded. I went out to see him yesterday as his unit is close at hand, and to my great surprise they told me he was wounded and they believed he was in England as he had got through the Casualty Clearing Station and that is the first step to “Blighty”. He was reserved for the stunt but at the last moment he had to go, he was hit in the stomach with a machine gun bullet his equipment saved him the bullet went in and came out the wound is not too deep so there is no need to worry he will be alright over there, he was wounded on Sept 20th at about 6.30 am, his things were sent on to the base and will be forwarded on to him later, the sergeant has sent all his private belongings, his men done all they could for him and they said he did not seem to have much pain. If the military do not send you any more word, you will know he is getting on alright I will write later I am in a hurry now. I may get word from Geordie, and will then write and let you know how he is getting on, they said the wound is not serious so do not worry.
I will say goodbye with love and sympathy
I remain
Your Loving Son
Charlie
From a rest camp which would keep him from the coming battles, Charlie wrote home to his aunt with continued optimism that George was recovering and would soon write to tell his brothers that he had survived.
October 3rd 1917
My Dear Auntie Florrie
Just a line to say that I am quite well and trust that you are all the same at Hayanmi. You will have heard that Geordie has been wounded, we have moved up where his unit was camped and I went one afternoon to see him and to my great surprise his mate told me that he had been wounded and that was at about 6.30am on the morning of Sept 20 in the push, he was reserved for the stunt and at the last minute one of the other corporals took ill and Geordie had to go, the sergeant told me that his wound was not serious and that he thought Geordie was in England so if he is he will be alright he will get 16 days sick leave when he comes out of the hospital if he had not been wounded he would have now been in Paris as the sergeant said he was next to go. I have written home and told them about it. I have not heard from Geordie yet it is hardly time. I am now at a rest camp for 14 days so you will see I am not doing too bad well dear Auntie I will draw to a close I trust you can read this but the wind is awful today, we are on the beach. I will say goodbye with love and best wishes I remain Your loving nephew
Charlie E M
On the same day, Tom Alford wrote to Jim to offer his condolences over the loss of Albert:
France
Oct 3rd 1917
Dear Jimmy
Just a line in answer to your [letter] of the 7th August which I’ve just got today & also had one from you a few days ago. Sorry you are not getting any from me but I write to you easily once a month & sometimes oftener. I’ve just come back from leave to England. I wrote to you while I was over there so haven’t any fresh news much. The Australians have had another pretty big slap up I was lucky enough to miss it but suppose there will be plenty more stunts. Sorry to hear about Albert, but hope you are bearing up as well as you can. Poor little beggar he didn’t reign long. I saw the two Stone boys a few days ago. They had not long been in France. They are in the 17th Battalion. I haven’t heard how Wilson Townsend or Charlie Cockcroft in the last mixup. Well Jim have nothing to write about so hoping all are well
From your old pal
Tom Alford
Charlie put pen to paper on the day that Allan and Percy were sent in to battle. He explained that he had received word that George had been wounded:
Army Rest Camp
Oct 4th 1917
My dear Mother, Father & Jim
Just a few lines to say I am quite well, we have shifted from where I wrote about a fortnight ago, I wrote telling you poor Geordie was wounded. I suppose you have got a cable saying he was wounded if you do not hear any more from the military you will know he is getting on alright and there will be no need to worry, first I will tell you that I have been sent to a rest camp by the sea for 14 days leave, Allan and Percy will be in the line for a few days and then will be coming out, I may say I have not been in since Albert was kill
ed, well we shifted up near where Geordie’s unit was and one day I got leave to go and see him, I had a long way to walk and had a hard job to find his unit, and when I got there to my sorry they told me he had been wounded on the Menin Road push on Sept 20th at about 6.15 am. The sergeant said he would now be in England he was hit in the stomach with a machine gun bullet the equipment saved him, the bullet did not go deep but the men said it seemed to go in and then come out again almost at the same place, and they said it was not serious so there is no need to worry he will be well looked after and will be away for a long time and if he is in England he will get 16 days sick leave. I am cabling home next week for some money I may get leave early next year…
BROODSEINDE RIDGE, BELGIUM
On 4 October the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Australian divisions and the New Zealand Division advanced on the German stronghold of Broodseinde Ridge to the east of Ypres. The ridge was regarded as one of the most strategic positions on the Western Front from which enemy observation posts readily observed the movements of the Allies below. To all appearances it is just a slope rising above the flat Belgian fields. The taking of Broodseinde Ridge would clear the way for the advance to the village of Passchendaele. As the official war historian Charles Bean later wrote: ‘Never before or since did four Anzac divisions attack side-by-side, and the already high spirit of these troops was greatly enhanced by this concentration.’1 General Plumer was to employ his ‘bite and hold’ strategy once more. To the north, Gough was to advance on the village of Poelcappelle. At 6.00 am, the Allied forces were scheduled to move forward simultaneously.
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