Orry Farrant and the 107 Howitzer Battery

A 4.5 inch howitzer at Ravine Wood, near Ploegsteert.  AWM Collection.  Orry Farrant is not pictured.

In 1916, 18 year old Orry Farrant changed his desk at a livestock auctioneer's office for a 4.5 Howitzer in the 7th Field Artillery Brigade.  The enemy, of course, was always attempting to  knock out the batteries which did them so much damage, and Orry fell in just such an attack. Read Rod Martin's description of the work of Howitzer Batteries, and Orry's end here.

Buried at sea

Aquitania steaming through Mudros Harbour.

Deaths on Service
BAKER. - On the 29th November, on hospital ship
"Aquitania," of exhaustion, Douglas Gibbs, 6th Bty.,
2nd F.A.B., younger son of J. A. Baker, 19 Brighton
road, St. Kilda. In firing-line since April without rest.
(Inserted by his sisters.)
The Argus 18 Dec 1915
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1586588

Rod Martin gives an account of the actions in which Driver Douglas Gibbs Baker was involved on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and which led to his evacuation and ultimate death. Baker had been born in Ascot Vale, and attended the Ascot Vale State School, and is commemorated on their honour board. 

Pte Middleton in Sausage Valley

Australian troops in 'Sausage Valley', as the troops called Pozieres, in 1916.   Private Ellis Middleton of Bowen St, Moonee Ponds, was sent into Sausage Valley with the 2nd Australian Division on 24 July 1916, and never came out.  Read Rod Martin's account of Ellis Middeleton's war service.