MUDIE BROTHERS
CORPORAL JOHN DOWNIE MUDIE
200 – 1st Tunnelling Company
John ‘Jock’ Downie Mudie was born in Balkelly, Yeatling, Forfarshire, Scotland in 1886 the son of Millar and Jean (Jane) (formerly Downie) Mudie. He stated his birthplace was Dundee, Scotland. Education was received at Auchterhouse Public School and he was an Electric Tramway Car Driver before he came to Australia about 1910 at twenty-four years of age. In 1915 he was a coal miner at Kingsthorpe, Qld in 1915.
At the Recruiting Depot in Toowoomba, Queensland on October 25, 1915 the twenty-nine year old miner applied to enlist and passed the medical examination. Attestation forms were completed which reveal he was 175cms (5ft 9ins) tall and weighed 81.3kgs (179lbs) with a chest measurement of 97cms (38ins). Dark was his complexion with grey eyes and brown hair. Presbyterian was his religion and his father Mr Millar Mudie of North Bank of Gray, Backmuir, Off Liff, near Dundee, Scotland was named next-of-kin. He took the ‘Oath of Allegiance’ the same day. His brother George Mudie and friend William Ruddick also enlisted with him.
The Mining Corps was in its establishment phase when Jock went for basic training at their Casula Camp near Liverpool. He was allotted to the No. 1 Company Mining Corps with the regimental number 200 in the rank of Sapper. On January 1, 1916 he was promoted to 2nd Corporal.
At a civic parade in the Domain, Sydney on Saturday February 19, 1916, a large crowd of relations and friends of the departing Miners lined the four sides of the parade ground. Sixty police and 100 Garrison Military Police were on hand to keep the crowds within bounds. The scene was an inspiriting 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’ on the left, rank upon rank, the Miners’ Battalion.
2nd Corporal Mudie was one of 1,248 members of the Corps who boarded HMAT A38 Ulysses in Sydney, NSW on February 20 and sailed for the European theatre. Arriving in Melbourne, Victoria on February 22 the Miners camped at Broadmeadows for a stay of 7 days while further cargo was loaded.
Another parade was held at the Broadmeadows camp on March 1, the Miners’ Corps being inspected by the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth military forces.
Leaving Melbourne on March 1, Ulysses arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia on March 7 where a further 53 members were taken on board.
On Wednesday March 8, 1916 the whole force, with their band and equipment, paraded at Fremantle prior to leaving Victoria Quay at 9.30 o’clock.
The ship hit a reef when leaving Fremantle harbour, stripping the plates for 40 feet and, although there was a gap in the outside plate, the inner bilge plates were not punctured. The men on board nicknamed her ‘Useless’. The Miners were off-loaded and sent to the Blackboy Hill Camp where further training was conducted.
Finally departing Fremantle on April 1, Ulysses voyaged via Suez, Port Said and Alexandria in Egypt. The Captain of the shipwas reluctantto 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.
While in port the following Crime was committed by the 2nd Corporal and others:
Alexandria26/4/16 When on active service absenting himself without prior leave
from 5 p.m. 26/4/16 to 10 a.m. 27/4/16.
He was not confined while waiting for his trial.
Captain O.H. Woodward M.C. & 2 Bars of the 1st Tunnelling Company writes of the incident his book My Story of the Great War :
The troops were transhipped to HM Transport B.1 Ansonia, then on to Valetta, Malta before disembarking at Marseilles, France on May 5, 1916. As a unit they entrained at Marseilles on May 7 and detrained on May 11 at Hazebrouck.
A Field General Court Martial was held at Hazebrouck on May 13, 1916 over the incident at Alexandria. 2nd Corporal Mudie pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty by the Court. His sentence was a reduction to the ranks reverting to Sapper and loss of two days pay.
Soon after arrival, the Australian Mining Corps ceased to exist as a whole and was redesignated into three Tunnelling Companies which were dispersed where the British Armies required them immediately.
Service and camp life continued and he was promoted to the rank of 2nd Corporal on August 19, 1916. No further details of his service are recorded.
On November 14, 1916 2nd Corporal Mudie was killed in action in the field.
In the Unit Diary of the 1st Tunnelling Company for November 14, 1916 a brief mention is given for that day:
Another extract from Captain Woodward’s book My Story of the Great War adds more details:
The Roll of Honour Circular states the Corporal was ‘Killed by heavy shelling at Hill 60.’
Corporal Mudie was buried in the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm), Zillebeke, 1½ miles South South East of Ypres along side Sergeant W.H. Ruddick.
His father was notified by Base Records on December 2, 1916 of the death of his son.
Miss E.M. Cuddihy of ‘Nelson’, Foldholm Road, Hawthorn, Vic wrote to Base Records on December 13, 1916 after reading the names of Corporal Mudie and Sergeant Ruddick in the 348th Casualty List a day after the list was published, requesting the name and address of his next-of-kin. Base Records replied on December 20 stating its regret that military instructions excluded supplying details of next-of-kin without a satisfactory reason being given.
Miss Cuddihy replied on January 2, 1917 saying she was sorry she omitted to include her reasons for requesting the next-of-kin name and address of Corporal J.D. Mudie as he had entrusted a ring to her care until he returned. Now that he had died on the Battlefield she felt it her duty to return the ring to his mother or next-of-kin in Scotland and for sympathetic reasons, seeing Jock and Will [Ruddick] had always been comrades. Base Records replied on January 6, 1917 with the Corporal’s father’s name and address.
A copy of his Will was sent to the 1st Tunnelling Company on January 17, 1917 in which he declared that in the event of his death all property and effects were to go to his father and mother, Millar and Jean Mudie.
Commencing on January 19, 1917 a pension of $1 (10/-) per fortnight each was forwarded to his parents at their address at Backmuir near Dundee.
Of interest his nephew was born in Brisbane, Qld on March 2, 1917 who it seems, was named in his honour as John Downie Mudie, and was the son of his brother George Mudie.
The Kit Store in London did the following inventory of his personal effects:
2 Notebooks, Leather Pouch, Wallet, Letters, Photo, 3 Coins and a 50 Centimes note.
These were sent to his father in Scotland and he acknowledged receiving his son’s belongings on March 24, 1917.
The Public Curator’s Office, Treasury Building, George Street, Brisbane, Qld wrote to Base Records on July 25, 1917 after being informed that Corporal Mudie’s Will had been forward from London to the Department of Defence, Melbourne, Vic and appealed that his original Will be sent to them so they could administer his estate in accordance with the request of his parents who were the legatees under the Will. Base Records replied on August 6, 1917 that the document in question had not reached their Branch and when it came to hand, it would be forwarded to the Military Paymaster at Victoria Barracks, Brisbane for the necessary action as was their usual practice.
Another letter was sent from the Public Curator’s Office to Base Records on September 11, 1917 requesting a certificate of death for the soldier, his address prior to enlistment and the name of the person nominated as his next of kin. Base Records supplied the certificate and details on September 17, 1917.
A memorandum from the Public Trustee in Sydney to Base Records in Melbourne dated October 13, 1917 requested the original Will in order to administer Corporal J.D. Mudie’s estate. Base Records replied on October 24 that his Will had been forwarded to the Paymaster at Victoria Barracks, Brisbane on September 22, 1917 and referred them there.
The pamphlet ‘Where the Australians Rest’ was forwarded to his father.
On May 7, 1920 the documents pertaining to the Field Court Martial were sent to the Attorney General’s Department numbered 8021.
The Memorial Plaque (320455) and the Memorial Scroll (320455) were issued to his father on August 7, 1922 directly from Australian Headquarters, England. The British War Medal (32103) and the Victory Medal (31880) were awarded to Corporal 200 John Downie Mudie, 1st Tunnelling Company who was killed in action.
His grave is located in Railway Dugouts Cemetery in portion VI, section P in grave no 28. His name was engraved on the original (1919) 1st Australian Tunnelling Company Memorial at Hill 60, near Ypres, Belgium. Australian War Memorial Image ID P00735.017 & P00735.018 refers.
“Blessed Are The Merciful
For They Shall Obtain Mercy”
LEST WE FORGET
Photo of headstone by kind permission of The War Graves Photographic Project
His nephew John Downie Mudie of Acland, Qld enlisted during World War II on January 31, 1941 and in the family tradition attained the rank of Lance Corporal. He served with the 2/3 25 at Amberley, Qld and was discharged on January 1, 1945.
LANCE CORPORAL GEORGE MUDIE
5377 – 1st Tunnelling Company
George Mudie was born in Dundee, Scotland about 1883 the son of Millar and Jean (Jane) (nee Downie) Mudie. He came to Australia and was married to Emily Celestine Lewis Mudie and they had four children under sixteen years of age in 1915.
At the Recruiting Depot in Toowoomba, Qld on October 25, 1915 the thirty-two and a half year old applied to enlist for active service and passed the medical examination. Personal particulars show he was 178cms (5ft 10ins) tall and weighed 76.3kgs (168lbs) with a chest measurement of 94cms (37ins). Other notations say he was a Scot with medium complexion, blueish eyes and light hair and a Presbyterian. Forms of Attestation were completed with the same information adding his next-of-kin was his wife Mrs Emily Mudie of Thomas Street, Bayswater, Brisbane, Qld and allotted three-fifths of his pay to her. He was sworn in the same day.
Basic training commenced at the No. 2 Depot Battalion, Enoggera camp, Brisbane, Qld and concluded on November 15, 1915 when he was sent to the Miners’ Depot (1st Military District) for further training. He remained until June 29, 1916 and transferred to the Miners’ Training Camp at Seymour, Vic for specialised training for the front. Was allotted to the September, 1916 Reinforcements in the rank of Sapper with the Regimental Number 5377. On July 22, 1916 he was promoted to Lance Corporal probably for the voyage and training camp only.
On September 30, 1916 Sapper Mudie was one of 168 volunteers who departed from Melbourne, Vic on the troopship HMAT A23 Suffolk. The ship arrived at Fremantle on October 10 and departed the same day. The South African port of Capetown was reached on October 30 and after an overnight stay left the following day. The vessel arrived at Dakar, West Africa on November 15, 1916 staying in the harbour until November 20, 1916. After 64 days at sea the voyage terminated at Plymouth, England on December 2, 1916. The men were detrained to Tidworth and marched into camp at Perham Downs for further training for the front.
On New Year’s Day 1917 they proceeded via Folkstone on board the S.S. Arundel to France and marched into the Aust General Base Depot the following day where he reverted to the rank of Sapper on entering the Base. On January 15 he was attached to the 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion and on January 27, 1917 was taken on strength with the 1st Tunnelling Company in the field.
His service continued without incident until he was on leave to Dundee, Scotland when he was taken to the Dundee War Hospital on August 21, 1917 and admitted with Trench Fever remaining for thirty-five days until September 29, 1917.
On August 29, 1917 Base Records advised his wife of his admittance to hospital and where to write to him. Mrs Mudie replied to their message asking them to please note her new address which was Annie Street, Torwood, Brisbane, Qld.
He was sent to recuperate at the 3rd Aust. Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford for a week with a medical report stating ‘Patient feels fairly well but looks rather debilitated’. On October 1 he was discharged to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth and the next day was medically assessed as ‘P.U.O Trench Fever attack 14/8/17 in bed one month, fairly well now. Pains in back. Disability classed as B1a2.’
On October 27 he arrived at Sutton Veny camp and was assessed Dentally Fit on November 9 remaining until transferred to the Overseas Training Brigade on November 12, 1917 at Deverill. He proceeded overseas via Southampton on November 29 arriving at the A.G.B.D. at Rouelles the next day and rejoined his unit on December 12, 1917.
Mrs Emily Mudie advised Base Records on March 9, 1918 that her address was now Payne Street, Torwood, Brisbane, Qld
No further news is recorded until an Audit on July 7, 1918 shows him with his unit.
He proceeded on leave on September 19 and returned on October 1, 1918. He was with his unit at the cessation of hostilities and they remained as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with rehabilitation of roads and bridges and other general work.
His company was recalled to the A.I.B.D. on January 29, 1919 and marched out on February 3 and crossed the English Channel to return to England the following day, marching into the Training Brigade at Weymouth for Demobilisation. The following day a Kit Inspection was taken and a pack and two supporting straps were withdrawn and his puttees were replaced. He was also issued with theses items:
Towel, Woollen Socks, Breeches and Jacket and two Sea Kit Bags.
Another Kit Inspection took place on March 27, 1919 while at the O.T.B. and the Breeches, Jacket and one Sea Kit Bag were withdrawn. A final Kit Inspection, although undated, saw him issued items to depart with:
Universal Bag, Dungaree Jacket and Trousers and a Knife, Clasp & Lanyard.
On April 12, 1919 Sapper Mudie departed Devonport for the journey home to Australia on board the H.T. Suffolk. His wife was advised by Base Records on May 13, 1919 that he was returning home. The ship docked in Melbourne, Vic (3rd M.D.) on February 5, 1919 and he returned to Brisbane, Qld several days later.
At the 6th Aust General Hospital, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane his final medical assessment took place and the report states:
Varicocele [Varicose veins in Scrotum]
Had noticed pain in his back in France 1919 – never in hospital ?
(sgd) G. Mudie
Debility due to Military Service
Much more comfortable since supporting bandage supplied.
Medical Assessment was confirmed by the P.M.O. at Military Headquarters on June 15, 1919
His Military Discharge was issued in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on July 21, 1919.
Sapper 5377 George Mudie, 1st Tunnelling Company was awarded the British War Medal (22343) and the Victory Medal (21692) for serving his country.
He returned to Acland, Qld where he resided and worked as a miner until about 1954.
George Mudie died on May 27, 1963 aged 79 years. In The Toowoomba Chronicle on Tuesday May 28, 1963 these notices were published:
The grave is situated in Presbyterian Section 3 of Drayton Cemetery, Toowoomba in Block 10, Allotment 3.
© Donna Baldey 2010